- Zoo’s play-off match against Nairobi United was abandoned
- This was occasioned by crowd trouble
- Nairobi United was leading 1-0
Zoo FC’s hopes of earning a slot in the National Super League next season hangs in the balance after their play-off tie against Nairobi United was abandoned in the 85th minute due to crowd trouble.
Nairobi United were leading 1-0, a goal scored in the 80th minute by Brian Lusamukha, before trouble started. A section of Zoo Kericho fans stormed the pitch, attacking match officials while a Nation Media Group photographer was also roughed up and injured.
“This decision, occasioned by crowd trouble in the 85th minute, was arrived at to guarantee the safety of the players, match officials, fans and support staff. Consequently, the FKF Leagues and Competitions committee shall make a decision on the match upon receipt of the match officials’ reports,” a statement from the Federation stated.
With their own fans having started problems, Zoo are in line to be reprimanded and fined by the Federation, while it is expected Nairobi United will be handed the win and a promotion to the National Super League, the second tier of Kenyan football.
The one-off match was to determine the third side to earn promotion into the NSL, after Rainbow FC and Luanda Villa, who won Zones A and B respectively.
Soccer Assassins make history with WPL promotion
Soccer Assassins celebrate their promition
Meanwhile, Soccer Assassins have been crowned the women’s Division One Champions after edging out Kibera Soccer Ladies 4-1. The two sides have been promoted to the Women’s Premier League, alongside Bungoma Queens.
Soccer Assassins – Madira Girls School team – make history as they are a high school team that will play in the FKF-WPL. The team is predominantly made up of students and that in itself makes it a remarkable feat.
Kibera Soccer Ladies are however no strangers to the top flight. They’ve had a remarkable season of their own too by winning the Zone A league and securing third in the FKF Women’s Cup 2023.
In the champions playoff encounter, both teams started the match off at a high tempo stating their intent very early on in the match. However, Kibera Ladies were the ones to open the scoring through a Maximila Robi strike in the 18th minute.
Shortly after a swift attack by Soccer Assassins resulted to a penalty been awarded, Charity Midema stepped up but Kaguta Esnas pulled out a save to deny her. Midema however made up for her miss by opening the scoring for her side in the 24th minute.
Valerie Nekesa scored a brace with the first of her two coming in the 31st minute ensuring her team went into the half time break in the lead. Her second rounded off the scoring for the game in the 82nd minute.
Faith Atieno scored the third goal for Assassins.
Bungoma Queens also earn first ever promotion
Action during the match
In the other winner takes all encounter, Bungoma Queens secured a victory in a fiercely contested third place playoff match against Uweza Women. This would be their first appearance in the FKF Women’s Premier league.
The two teams could not be separated after the game ending 1-1 resulting to a penalty shoot-out. Bungoma Queens had the better of the early exchanges seeing their chance early in the match cleared off the goal line.
Despite Bungoma’s threat, Uweza Women score against the run of play through an Esther Ngungi goal. Uweza went into the half time break with a lead. Bungoma started the second half strong with Caroline khaemba scoring only ten minutes after restart.
Game went into penalties, Doreen Ouma saved a crucial penalty giving Elizabeth Mukoa a chance to score the winning penalty. The shoot out ended 6-5.
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