From Tom Juma being escorted by Police out of Kasarani to protect him from angry AFC Leopards fans to Homeboyz frustrating yet another FKFPL giant in Gor Mahia, here are the talking points after mathweek four.
After match week four of the FKFPL, teams have had enough time to make fans, pundits and neutrals alike start gathering substantial information about what was learnt about the last set of fixtures.
With officially now 30 gameweeks left to go, a lot of things could still change as it is a long season ahead, but after a full month of FKFPL action now behind us, here are some of the conclusions we made from match week four of the FKFPL.
Is Tom Juma walking on thin ice?
AFC Leopards new coach Tom Juma will have to wait another week to get his first win as the side’s boss after his side were denied victory at the very last minute by Kenya Police at the Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.
Ingwe fans are known not to have patience if they think whatever they witness on the pitch shows no light at the end of the tunnel, and they have already made their feelings towards the former Harambee Stars player known.
After drawing with Muhoroni Youth at the same venue last week, angry fans called for the gaffer to be sacked, with endless chants of “Juma must go” roaring round Kasarani. They also mobbed captain Washington Munene after the match, and Juma needed police protection to leave the ground.
Leopards nearly got a win after coming back from a goal down to take a 2-0 lead, but their hearts were crushed when Police fought back in the end, which got the fans who attended the match livid.
Were it not for police intervention yet again, Juma may probably not have left the stadium without a scratch. He needs a win badly to relieve the pressure off his shoulders when they face Shabana next week.
06:23 - 20.09.2023
STARS ABROAD Meet Tayo Williams, the jaw-dropping Kenyan talent on trial at Bristol City
After growing up in Kenya and dazzling with his football skills, the exciting 14-year-old attacking midfielder managed to earn a trial at English club Bristol City.
Homeboyz continue giant slaying trend
Kakamega Homeboyz just cannot help it. For the third game in a row, they managed to prevent Gor Mahia from getting a win against the Patrick Odhiambo-coached outfit.
After Benson Omala had opened the scoring for Gor Mahia, Shami Mwinyi, who returned to the Kakamega based outfit after two years, equalized after being set up well by Moses Mudavadi to fire past Kevin Omondi’s net.
By avoiding a loss against Gor, it now means the side have lost just once against the so-called big three FKFPL sides AFC Leopards, Tusker and Gor Mahia since the appointment of Patrick Odhiambo as boss, with that loss coming against the Brewers in Ruaraka in early May.
Tusker returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory courtesy of David Odoyo’s second half striker after being set up well by Siwa Shapan.
Tusker will miss Mieno’s presence
Although that goal came from a six-pass move after turning over the ball after Muhoroni goalkeeper Ezekiel Owade executed his goal kick straight back at the Tusker players, the brewers showed in this game why they will miss Humphrey Mieno’s presence in the middle of the park.
They are missing a profile of a midfielder who can win the ball and also dictate the tempo of how they play very easily.
New signing Chris Erambo is more of a creative midfielder, Fabian Adikinyi, a signing from Murang’a Youth, is not a pure ball winner, Collins ‘Kante’ Odhiambo is a box to box midfielder and although Odoyo is promising, he has work to do to improve his temperament.
As the season goes on, the Brewers will realize that Mieno’s presence will be missed.
21:45 - 23.09.2023
FKFPL: Police rescue AFC Leopards coach Tom Juma from irate mob who wanted his head
AFC Leopards coach Tom Juma, besieged by angry fans, escorted by police after disappointing draw against Kenya Police FC.
Posta Rangers’ fairytale start continues
It is lonely at the top for Posta Rangers after a month of FKFPL action after they beat Murang’a Seal to maintain their 10 point lead at the top of the table.
Patrick Otieno’s header in the second half was enough to give them all the three points, but his direct running at Murang’a gave the Aberdare region-based side all sorts of problems.
Otieno was excellent at receiving long balls hit to him at space and retaining it before finding a teammate, which dragged Murang’a markers out of their positions.
With the result, Posta have now won three and drawn just one of their opening four fixtures, which will make head coach John Kamau very happy, after he insisted last season that “he was no flower girl” to give away points just like that following their 1-1 draw with Tusker.
Is Shabana worth the hype?
FC Shabana attracted so much hype in the National Super League last season as they won the title to return to the topflight for the first time since 2006.
However, since their return to the big time, they have won two and lost two of their first four fixtures.
Maybe it is the fact that they are missing playing at the Gusii Stadium, maybe it is the fact it is a completely new competition to them, but after going for four games without a win, neutrals will begin to question whether all that hype that attracted so many people to come and watch their games is worth it.
They were downed by Kariobangi Sharks in front of a stunned Raila Odinga stadium crowd in Homa Bay on Saturday.
09:00 - 25.09.2023
STARS ABROAD: Olunga suffers first loss of the season with Al Duhail while Omurwa features in Estrela’s draw with Chaves
Olunga could not do much to help Al Duhail avoid defeat, while Johstone Omurwa had a cameo appearance to forget for Portuguese outfit Estrela Amaradora.