Six lessons learned from FKF Premier League match week 31

The FKF Premier League is in its final march to conclusion with match week 31 taking place over the weekend, bringing about significant changes to both the title race and the battle against relegation, leaving a host of lessons to be learned.

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Kenya’s two biggest teams and top title contenders, Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, were both in action, posting contrasting results, and so was Shabana FC.

The relegation battle has reached fever pitch as APS Bomet continued to post impressive results that have disentangled them from the drop zone.

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Mozzart Sport covered the width and breadth of the entire eight matches that took place, and in this weekly series, highlights some of the six key lessons deduced from them.

Shariff Musa key to Gor Mahia's final push

One of the key pillars for Gor Mahia this season has to be fleet-footed winger Shariff Musa, who has demonstrated growth in his game that is proving pivotal for K’Ogalo’s title push.

Musa was one of the most criticised players in the Gor Mahia team last season, largely for his indecisiveness in front of goal.

However, that has changed this season under coach Charles Akonnor, who previously explained that he identified him as a key player to his plans and helped in moulding him into an attacker that no defender wants to play against.

The former Kariobangi Sharks man once again proved his quality in their league match against Kenya Police FC.

In a match where the Law Enforcers seemed to dominate, Musa looked like the only hope for Gor Mahia to score, which even prompted Police head coach Nicholas Muyoti to introduce Baraka Badi as a winger to help Daniel Sakari contain Musa.

However, it did not work as it was from Musa’s cross after cutting from the left into his favourite right foot that Patrick Esombe laid the ball to Ebenezer Assifuah to score what earned the club a point.

Poor officiating clouds AFC Leopards’ win

AFC Leopards were the beneficiaries of poor officiating in their 2-1 win over Mara Sugar FC, which handed them a major boost in the title race.

With the game tied at 1-1, captain Victor Omune pounced onto a rebound after Joseph Ogenda punched Tyson Otieno’s strike onto his path to give Leopards the win.

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However, replays show that Omune was clearly in an offside position before, during and after Tyson took his shot, but first assistant referee Adan Tadicha’s flag stayed down.

This adds yet another match marred by poor officiating, with Mara Sugar coach Francis Xavier also blaming centre referee Badir Yasin for some calls made during the match.

Having previously complained of poor officiating, Leopards have been conspicuously quiet, having benefitted from one of those errors.

Shabana must address poor fan attendance

Shabana continues to record dwindling revenue from their home matches, with their clash against Ulinzi Stars generating Ksh398,000, the lowest the club has posted since their return to Gusii Stadium.

Shabana made a name for themselves as having, on average, the largest number of fans attending matches throughout the season, earning millions from their home matches.

However, recent displeasure from fans, especially after the sacking of coach Peter Okidi, has seen revenue from match-day tickets drop significantly, with the last match that generated seven figures traced back to Saturday, 21 February, when they hosted Tusker FC.

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Fans remain an integral part of a team, and so the club's leadership must work around the clock and address the matter that has caused their fans to partially boycott matches.

APS Bomet assured of survival?

The league newbies might have just secured another season in the top flight following a 2-0 win over Mathare United over the weekend.

With the win, the Law Enforcers moved up to 12th on the log with 37 points, which is more than the average 36 points that has always guaranteed safety in the previous seasons.

However, with just five points separating them from Ulinzi Stars in the red zone and having a game in hand, APS may need one more win to be sure of survival.

Relegation pressure consumes John Kamau

The former Posta Rangers head coach becomes the latest tactician to be sent packing in a season that has seen the coaching door revolve with greater speed.

While he led the team to decent spells in the season and massive results, including a 4-1 win over AFC Leopards, Kamau’s inability to seal safety in recent matches that saw them record just two wins in 11 encounters might have forced the club’s hierarchy to make the hard decision.

Waithira gifts Dennis Odhiambo maiden coaching career victory

Joe Waithira ended his goal drought just in time as he guided Murang’a Seal to a 1-0 win over Kakamega Homeboyz and handed interim coach Dennis Odhiambo his first win as a coach.

Odhiambo, who was serving both as a coach and a player, was handed the reins after the club parted ways with Osborne Monday, and while he failed to taste victory in his first three attempts, the win against Homeboyz will be forever etched in his memory.