Chaos, Comebacks And Relief As Drama Unfolds In Fkf Premier League
A weekend meant to showcase top-flight football instead delivered controversy, resilience and long-awaited relief, as chaos halted one match while Tusker and Bandari secured crucial victories across the country.
The FKF Kenyan Premier League was thrown into turmoil on Sunday after disorder forced the abandonment of the much anticipated encounter between Gor Mahia and Nairobi United at Dandora Stadium.
The Nairobi derby was brought to a premature end in the 58th minute with the score locked at 1-1 after crowd trouble broke out in the stands. Match officials reported that objects were hurled onto the pitch, making conditions unsafe for both players and officials.
Security teams attempted to calm the situation, but their efforts proved insufficient. After consultations with security officers, the center referee made the call to abandon the fixture, bringing proceedings to an abrupt halt.
The incident is now set to be reviewed by the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee, which will decide on the outcome of the match and any disciplinary action. The abandonment overshadowed what had been a balanced contest between two sides eager to make a statement.
Elsewhere, Tusker FC bounced back strongly from their previous setback with a gritty 1-0 win over APS Bomet at Kericho Green Stadium. The brewers showed composure and determination against a stubborn home side that refused to roll over.
Dennis Oguta emerged as the hero, netting the decisive goal that earned Tusker all three points on the road. APS Bomet pushed hard in search of an equaliser late on, but Tusker remained compact at the back to protect a valuable win that keeps them firmly in the title race.
On the Coast, Bandari FC finally rediscovered their winning touch after ending a five-match winless streak with a narrow 1-0 victory over Mathare United at Mbaraki Sports Ground in Mombasa.
The Dockers began cautiously and survived an early scare when Mathare midfielder Eli Esieche narrowly missed the target with a powerful strike. Bandari responded through Hamisi Mwaphalu, whose fierce effort forced goalkeeper Kevin Ouru into a sharp save.
Bandari broke the deadlock midway through the first half after Amza Ndayou was brought down in the box. The forward picked himself up and calmly converted the resulting penalty to hand the hosts the lead.
Mathare came close to levelling matters before the break when Paul Kinyanjui rattled the post, while Bandari missed a chance to extend their advantage in stoppage time after failing to connect with a dangerous delivery.
The second half saw Bandari continue to press, with Abdalla Hassan heading wide from a promising position. Mathare responded with renewed urgency late in the game, but clear chances proved hard to come by as Bandari managed the match effectively.
The final whistle brought relief to the Dockers, who secured a much needed victory to ease growing pressure after a difficult run.
Bandari head coach Razak Siwa praised his players for their effort and resilience, saying the result was long overdue.
Mathare United coach John Kamau, however, lamented missed opportunities and a costly defensive lapse that ultimately decided the contest.
As the league gathers momentum, attention now turns to the abandoned match in Nairobi, with league officials facing key decisions that could shape the course of the FKF Premier League season.
