NAIROBI, Kenya, November 10- Sony Sugar survived, Kakamega Homeboyz went down and giants AFC Leopards clinched second place on the last day of the 2013 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season on Saturday.
Sony defeated Bandari 2-0 to retain their KPL status following a hectic final day that saw all the eight matches played at the same time in various venues across the country.
In other results, a sober mood engulfed the Mumias Sports Complex after the final whistle, when local county side Homeboyz were relegated to the second tier after earning promotion this season following a 2-1 loss to AFC Leopards.
Homeboyz keeper Collins Oduor wept uncontrollably, while his colleagues chatted in low tones with uncertainty over their futures perhaps the main talking point.
“It feels sad that it is over for us but I’m very proud of how my players have fought this fight. Leopards keeper Martin Musalia was awarded Man of the Match, which speaks volumes as to how the proceedings were,” Homeboyz coach Edward Manoah said.
Leopards scored the first goal – after 27 seconds – through Peter “Pinches” Opiyo, who diverted an acute-angle cross from Allan Wanga into the net.
Wanga then netted his customary goal in the second half with a swerving shot that gave Oduor no chance. It was his 11th goal of the season
Tony Ssentogo scored the consolation goal for Homeboyz, feeding off an inviting cross from Moses Mudavadi to beat Musalia with a firm header.
This result saw Leopards finish second with a superior goal difference over Sofapaka, who were aided by a late Mustapha Kasolo goal to defeat Mathare United 2-1. Kasolo had earlier given Sofapaka the lead that was cancelled by Kenneth Wendo.
KCB, meanwhile, settled for fourth position, after two goals either side of the break from Jacob Keli ensured the bankers walked away 2-0 victors over relegated Karuturi Sports in Naivasha.
The goals ensured Keli finished top of the scoring charts with 17 goals.
Keli’s closest challenger and former teammate at Mathare Jesse Were, netted the lone goal of the match, and his 15th of the season, as his team Tusker beat Western Stima at Bukhungu.
In Nakuru, champions Gor Mahia were awarded a grand entrance, complete with a guard of honour from the hosts with Ulinzi players forming a human tunnel to clap their opponents onto the pitch before playing to a drab 0-0 draw.
At Thika Municipal Stadium, Thika United beat Muhoroni 1-0 with a David King’atua goal to retain their top eight status alongside Ulinzi, Bandari and Tusker.
Playing at home, Sony made sure of survival with a brace in the first half by Moses Arita, who’s had an impressive finish to the campaign with five goals from three games.
-Report by kpl.co.ke
