Talanta humiliate Gor Mahia to survive relegation as Muhoroni, Shabana, Sofapaka push battle to final day

Talanta defeated Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia 4-2 to guarantee their presence in next season’s top flight in a  match played at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Wednesday afternoon.

The performance was just what the doctor ordered as Talanta ran riot to deny Gor Mahia an opportunity to set a new points record for an 18-team league season. Gor Mahia needed six points from their remaining two matches to surpass the record they set in the 2018-19 league season when they finished champions with 75 points. With today’s defeat, Gor Mahia cannot collect more than 73 points.

For Talanta, the victory removes final day nerves as with 37 points in 14^th place, they cannot finish lower than 15^th place. Their victory leaves the duo of Shabana and Sofapaka heading to the season finale battling to finish in at least 15^th place

Already, Shabana, with 35 points in 15^th place, are guaranteed of not finishing lower than 16^th place after their 3-0 victory over Bidco United at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay was boosted by Sofapaka drawing 1-1 away to Nairobi City Stars at the Dandora Stadium, a result that left Batoto Ba Mungu in 16^th place with 33 points. However, with finishing in 16^th place does not guarantee safety as the team finishing in that position will have to negotiate a promotion-relegation play-off match against the third-placed team in the 2023-24 FKF National Super League. Therefore, Shabana will be motivated to go for victory when they visit Murang’a Seal in Round 34 and end their season on a high.

On the other hand, the draw with Nairobi City Stars puts Sofapaka’s fate out of their hands. Victory may not be enough to survive relegation automatically should Shabana win or draw against Murang’a Seal. Sofapaka also risk finishing in 17^th place, hence suffering automatic relegation, should they lose at home to Nzoia Sugar in Round 34 and Muhoroni Youth wins at home to Posta Rangers.

Muhoroni Youth, who are 17^th with 31 points, gave themselves a lifeline to decide their fate on the final day after registering their biggest win of the season with a 6-0 thumping of the already-relegated Nzoia Sugar at the Mumias Sports Complex. A similar performance against Posta Rangers can only be sufficient if Sofapaka lose or draw against Nzoia Sugar.

In the day’s other matches, Ulinzi Stars also ensured they go into in the season finale with calm nerves after defeating Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 in a match that was played at the Police Sacco Stadium. For all their inconsistency this season, the Soldiers delivered the goods when it mattered most and as such, with a victory that takes them to 12^th place with 39 points, Uinzi Stars are sure that they will not be dragged into the relegation survival dogfight regardless of the result they get on Sunday. However, this season must serve as a warning to the Soldiers as they may not get away with such complacency next season. Kariobangi Sharks, who suffered their first loss in 13 league games, dropped to 7^th with 47 points following the loss.

Also registering a 2-1 victory were Tusker who defeated Posta Rangers with that score at Thika Stadium to secure second place with an unassailable 62 points. Posta Rangers, on their part, slid to 9^th with 47 points.

Kakamega Homeboyz also won 1-0 at home to Murang’a Seal in a match that was played at the Mumias Sports Complex. It was a result that ensured Abana Abeingo avenged a first leg loss to Murang’a Seal by a similar score. Murang’a Seal, perhaps already satisfied with their performance in the debut season in the top flight, were left 13^th with 38 points as Kakamega Homeboyz rose to 7^th with 48 points.

The day’s two other matches ended 0-0 with AFC Leopards being held to a goalless draw at home to 10-man KCB at the Dandora Stadium. The result leaves Ingwe 6^th with 48 points while FKF-final bound KCB remain 11^th with 42 points.

Kenya Police FC’s 0-0 draw with Bandari at the Police Sacco Stadium meant that the law enforcers will finish in the third place for the second consecutive league season while Bandari, 5^th with 49 points, have had their winless streak stretching to nine matches.