Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret is set to host this year’s Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division Two Western Zone promotion playoff games on Friday, with the winner earning an automatic ticket to FKF Division One Zone B next season.A total of four teams from Western Zone A and B will battle for the coveted slot. Zone A champions Soy United, along with runners-up Obucuun Border, join Zone B winners Hillside and second-placed Mfalme in the race to the third tier.Soy edged out stiff competition from Obucuun to conclude the season on 52 points, three ahead of the border club, with both booking a place in the playoffs, which are making a return to Uasin Gishu. Previous encounters were held in Kakamega, Busia, and Mumboha Stadium in Luanda.##GEOTARGET_BANNER_8191939##Last year’s playoff finalists Bungoma Stars and promotion favorites Samtsi missed the playoffs stage by four and two points, respectively.In Zone B, Justus Lemayan-coached Hillside proved strong for the majority of the teams in the zone, emerging victorious with 74 points, seven ahead of second-placed Mfalme.Ironically, Dela Sharks, who have been to the playoffs in three consecutive campaigns, had a rough season, finishing 12th in the standings, while Eldowas, who were tipped to flourish at the start of the campaign, bowed out of the tournament at the bottom of the eighteen-team log.Kenyan custodian Brian Bwire to sign with South African sideSpeaking ahead of the games, Hillside gaffer Lemayan said his troops were ready for the battle and are keen to be the first team from Turkana to take part in the third tier.”We are ready and well prepared; we will give our best to emerge as the champions. If we manage to get to Division One, it will be a plus for our county and the marginalized areas because it has never happened. I urge fans to come out in large numbers and create history together,” he told Mozzart Sport.The first semi-final is scheduled for 10 am, with Zone A champions Soy kicking off the day by battling Mfalme. The second match is scheduled for 1 pm between Obucuun and Hillside.Winners in both semis will lock horns in the grand finale set for Saturday at 10 am at Kipchoge Keino, with the champions gaining automatic promotion. Runners-up will have to wait for the outcome of the FKF Central Zone playoffs to know their opponent, who will determine the third team to join the third tier.I almost gave up: Yego opens up on gruelling journey to fourth Olympic GamesWestern Mini League Promotion Playoff Fixtures:Soy United vs. Mfalme – Kipchoge Keino Stadium (10 am)Hillside vs. Obucuun Border – Kipchoge Keino Stadium (1 pm)FinalWinner Semi 1 vs. Winner Semi 2 (Set for Saturday)
