Tusker keep title dreams alive as Homeboyz earn free points from Talanta

• Tusker beat Bidco United 2-0 at the Kasarani Annex
• FC Talanta dished a walkover to Homeboyz as players boycotted the match
• The two teams are on 57 points, with Tusker top on goal difference

The FKF Premier League champions will be known on the last day of the season next weekend as both Tusker FC and Kakamega Homeboyz earned three points this weekend.

Tusker were 2-0 winners over Bidco United at the Kasarani Annex, while Homeboyz were dished three free points after FC Talanta players dished a walkover in their match that had been set for the Ruaraka Complex.

FC Talanta players boycotted the match citing unpaid salaries and allowances. Talanta coaches and Homeboyz players and their staff were at Ruaraka for the match, but the players were nowhere to be seen.

With Homeboyz sure of three points and a 2-0 result, pressure was now on Tusker when news reached the Annex that their title rivals were awarded freebies.

They faced a stern Bidco side, but they broke their resilience in the second half with substitutes Rodgers Ouma and Lawrence Luvanda finding the back of the net.

Tusker’s Stewart Omondi dribbles the ball past a Bidco United opponent

Tusker started off the match on a high and just two minutes in, they were denied by the crossbar. Charles Momanyi rose well at the near post to glance in a header from a Daniel Sakari long throw, but it came off the base of the post with the keeper beaten.

They were almost caught out on the counter on the opposite end when Alex Sungah picked the ball on the left after a long cross beat Sakari’s run, but keeper Patrick Matasi made a smart save to deny the Bidco winger.

In the 18^th minute, Sakari’s long throw once again opened up another chance, this time finding the flight of Clyde Senaji but his effort flew inches wide.

Tusker created more chances and two minutes to the break came very close again, this time Deogratious Ojok’s stinging shot from just inside the box being turned behind for a corner.

In the second half, Tusker made changes bringing on the speed of Lawrence Luvanda and Stewart Omondi with Shaphan Oyugi and Shami Mwinyi rested. Rodgers Ouma was also brought in for Clyde Senaji while Jackson Macharia came in for Eric Zakayo to make attacking push.

Tusker FC’s Jackson macharia controls the ball under pressure from a Bidco United opponent

With virtually his first touch of the ball after coming on, Ouma gave Tusker FC the lead. The midfielder picked up the ball inside the box and buried home after Luvanda’s header from a Kipyegon cross came off the bar.

The goal gave Tusker the boost they needed to push in for the win, with Homeboyz across the pitch watching with keen interest.

Ten minutes later, they struck the winner, Luvanda picking up the ball after a patient build up and striking an unstoppable winner from range.

The brewers managed to secure the win and should have had a late third when Macharia sighted the keeper off his line. He went for a dipping shot from range but it went inches over the bar.

Ahead of the next round of matches, Tusker faces Posta Rangers at home while Homeboyz will also be at home against Kariobangi Sharks.

Meanwhile, Vihiga Bullets have been officially relegated from the FKF Premier League after suffering a humbling 4-0 loss at the hands of Kenya Police at home.

The battle for the chop is now left on the play-off with Wazito FC and Nzoia Sugar battling to avoid it. Nzoia picked up a point in a hard earned 1-1 draw with Gor Mahia at Kasarani while Wazito beat Posta Rangers 1-0 on Saturday.

Wazito currently occupy the play-off slot and are three points behind Nzoia. With a massive goal difference of -20, Wazito’s hopes of pulling out of the zone are slim as they will need to win their last match by a massive margin and hope Nzoia, who have a -8 goal difference, also lose by a huge margin.