In May 2020, while the world was fiercely battling the coronavirus pandemic, former Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to confirm the promotion of Nairobi City Stars and Bidco United to the Premier League.Furthermore, the former FKF boss declared that Gor Mahia had retained the league crown despite the 2019-2020 season not being played to conclusion thanks to the pandemic, that cut short the second leg of the term.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsWhat followed was an official confirmation from FKF, who cited the public health regulations, released by the Ministry of Health, along with Rule 2.6.1.2 of the Rules and Regulations governing the game, to justify the promotion of the two clubs and crowning of Gor Mahia.Consequently, Nairobi City Stars, then under Bosnian coach Sanjin Alagic, returned to the top-flight after wandering in the National Super League (NSL) for five solid seasons.The team was returning to a familiar territory and such, did not show signs of struggle, unlike most of the newbies or returnees, who tend to struggle in keeping up with the pace.##NAJAVA_MECA_8986703##However, City Stars could not maintain the high standards demonstrated in their first season after punching the promotion ticket, as signs of decline began to show, with a reduced budget partly being attributed to it.The club managed to hang on, and even enjoyed a brief renaissance at some point, but it proved an exercise in futility as the 2024-25 ended all their hopes of yet another campaign at the table of men.In the end, it provided them an unwanted ticket to the second-tier, one of the dreaded competitions in Kenyan football.The final action of the campaign saw the club play Mathare United to a barren draw, a result that denied them an extra point which would have been enough to gurantee their survival.Why Kasarani’s confirmation as CHAN final venue piles pressure on Harambee StarsJoining City Stars in kissing the top-tier goodbye are FC Talanta, who suffered a 1-0 loss to Murang’a Seal on the final day, to finish second from last.Since their promotion in the 2021/2022 season, Talanta have not finished in the top half of the table.The Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS)-sponsored side finished 12th in their maiden season with 44 points, before settling for 14th with 36 points in the 2022/23 season.A 15th place finish was what the team settled for last season after amassing 37 points.Tottenham Hotspur striker enjoying holiday in Kenya after Europa League triumphTheir ticket to the second-tier was confirmed by Victor Haki, who scored the lone goal in their clash against Seal on Sunday.Posta, Bidco surviveWhile City Stars and Talanta were relegated, the duo of Posta Rangers and Bidco United survived the chop by a whisker after bagging favourable results in the final day of the campaign.Posta played Bandari to a 1-1 draw to finish third from bottom with 35 points, although their goal difference is superior to that of City Stars and Talanta.Consequently, the Mailmen will play second-tier side Naivas in the promotion/relegation playoff.Odemba laments missed opportunity as Harambee Starlets fall to Tanzania in CECAFA finalWhile a draw was enough for Posta to survive, at least for now, Bidco had to beat Sofapaka 2-1 at Ruaraka Grounds to assure themselves of another season with the big boys.This will be the second time Posta will be battling in the playoff, having survived in the 2018-2019 season where they beat the defunct Nairobi Stima 2-1 on aggregate.Police crowned championsAs all eyes were on the relegation dogfight, champions Kenya Police FC were in action against outgoing and record winners Gor Mahia at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.The two giants laboured for a 1-1 draw with Police having to rally from behind to avoid defeat on their coronation.Shariff Musa gave Gor the lead in the 24th minute, with second half substitute David Okoth replying for the new champions in the 56th minute.Police headed to the match already confirmed as the champions after hitting unassailable lead in the penultimate round.Gor afforded Police a guard of honour prior to kick off with their patron Raila Odinga handing the trophy to the Law Enforcers’ skipper David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng.Other resultsIn other matches played on Sunday, Tusker held Kakamega Homeboyz to a barren draw at the Mumias Sports Complex.The match had significant following given the fact that two potential ‘Golden Boot’ winners were in action.Millions Kakamega Homeboyz have placed on Moses Shumah’s price tagEventually, it was Homeboyz’ Moses Shumah, who claimed the shoe courtesy of the 17 goals he had scored prior to the game.AFC Leopards and KCB also played for a barren draw while Shabana and Ulinzi Stars shared points after a 1-1 draw.Mara Sugar lost 4-1 at the hands of Kariobangi Sharks.
