Are we witnessing one of the most intriguing Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) campaigns in recent history or ever?That question lingered in my mind at the close of Week 32 action on Sunday as both title contention and relegation survival took another twist but still remained open with just two rounds of games to go.##NAJAVA_MECA_7301213##The bittersweet memories of 2012, when the coveted title was won by Tusker FC, who pipped Gor Mahia on the dot, flooded my thoughts. The two belligerents are back at it again.While the Brewers stumbled at Got Alila, going down 2-1 to Wazito FC, K’Ogalo, their main opponent, bounced back in four attempts, beating Ulinzi Stars 2-0 at Kasarani to jump back on top. It was yet another swapping of positions at the league apex for the two sides this season.With Mathare United going down 1-0 at Kakamega Homeboyz, the victory buttressed Wazito’s spot in the relegation playoff zone at position 15th on the log, yet they’re still not out of the woods yet.The race for the golden boot got juicier with Machapo closing in on Omala, who seems to have lost his scoring mojo.Got Alila is truly a fortressWith more than half of the FKFPL clubs based in the capital Nairobi, most of whom share stadiums they don’t even own, the idea of home ground advantage is largely dead in the top flight. Yet, there are a few exceptions, one of which is Wazito’s Muhoroni Stadium. Got Alila, as the ground is nicknamed, is a proper fortress. A true definition of home ground.The other three are Nzoia Sugar’s Sudi Stadium in Bungoma, Bandari’s Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa, and Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, the home of Kakamega Homeboyz FC.Yet, Got Alila stands out for me this season. Despite the fact that Wazito have not had a great campaign, they still managed to inflict pain and anguish on their visitors.AFC Leopards were the first notable giants to fall at the Muhoroni football shrine, going down 2-1 on Valentine’s Day, followed by Ulinzi Stars, who were served a 1-0 defeat, before a high flying Gor Mahia were stopped in their tracks after being held to a maddening 0-0 draw.On Sunday, after talking big about how he can win anywhere and he’s not scared, Tusker’s gaffer Robert Matano’s mouth was shut, refusing to talk to the media, after he succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Got Alila.Kenyan defender Clarke Oduor set to be released by English clubMachapo is working in total silenceFor the better swaths of the season, Gor Mahia prodigy Benson Omala has hogged the headlines insofar as the race for the golden boot is concerned. Take nothing away from the young man from Kisumu. He’s been brilliant in front of the goal. His headers remind the older generation of the legendary K’Ogalo striker Peter Dawo, the 1987 winner and top scorer of the CAF Winners’ Cup.Yet, it appears there’s been a silent shifting of the tectonic plates going on under the surface. Yes, Police FC’s Elvis “Machapo” Rupia has been working in total silence to turn the tables, and the results are showing.With Omala experiencing a goal drought, Rupia has managed to close the goal scoring gap to just one. Having grabbed a brace against Posta Rangers on Sunday, Rupia is now on 24 goals, one less than Omala. The race is on.Harambee Stars wing wizard Paul Were lifts first title in Rwanda with Rayon SportThe Sheikh’s Midas touchWhen Bandari called on coach Twahir Muhiddin to come rescue their sinking ship, there were murmurs. The Sheikh, a veteran of the touchline, was replacing a youthful and promising Anthony “Modo” Kimani. The future was seemingly being disrupted, and the disgruntlement, to an extent, was justifiable.Yet, as the cliche goes, old is gold. Six games after Muhiddin’s takeover in early May and Bandari’s disappointing exit from the Mozzart Bet Cup, the Dockers are cruising, winning four and drawing twice in the league.Their last outing on Saturday was an impressive 2-0 win over Sofapaka at Nyayo, a game attended by former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho. Truly, “penye wazee hapaharibiki neno.”Is Mathare United truly sinking?The Slum Boys recorded their 11th straight defeat at Kakamega Homeboyz on Sunday as they drifted further down in the automatic relegation alley.The fact that their last league fixture will be against Wazito FC, their main opponent in the race for survival, at Got Alila is scary. Is this the end of a beautiful story?Devolve football!Away from FKFPL, the week reminded us that if you want to find gold, go look for it in the mountains, but if you want raw, undiluted passion for football, go find it at the grassroots.Gusii Stadium, Kisii, and Moi Stadium, Embu, were filled to the brim as Shabana FC took on Kibera Black Stars in the National Super League (NSL) and Embu All Stars hosted Gor Mahia in the Madaraka Day Cup, respectively.Al Ahly knows how to win, but Red Castle is hard to conquer! Wydad score a precious away goal to stay in the finalNeed I say more? ReplyForward
