FKFPL Wrap: Omala takes driver’s seat in Golden Boot race, Ingwe finally score as Shabana struggles continue

Gor Mahia’s prodigious talent Benson Omala missed the Golden Boot last season by a whisker after finishing the campaign with 26 goals, just one shy of eventual winner Elvis Rupia.

But if the new 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) season is anything to go by, the former Western Stima man is showing early signs of not allowing the Golden Boot to slip through his hands once again as he struck on Sunday to take his tally to four goals in four matches, taking him two clear on the scoring charts so far.

Talking of goals, AFC Leopards can finally chime in the conversation as the side managed to find their first goals under Tom Juma’s leadership when they scored two against Kenya Police.

However, the strikes were just not enough for the team who are still waiting for their first win in the season.

Here is a wrap of how matchday 4 played out in the FKFPL as Posta Rangers continued their stay at the league summit where they opened a two-point gap.

Omala takes driver’s seat in Golden Boot race as Kakamega Homeboyz hold Gor Mahia

The young Kenyan international took an early lead in the Golden Boot race after finding the back of the net in Gor Mahia’s 1-1 away draw against Kakamega Homeboyz for his fourth goal in the opening four games.

The striker moved two goals clear of his closest challengers Dan Wafula (Nzoia Sugar), Ezekiel Okare (Bidco United), Geoffrey Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Jackson Macharia (Posta Rangers) and Peter Thiong’o (Posta Rangers).

Omala’s early goal was however just enough to earn the defending champions a point as Homeboyz clawed their way back through Shami Mwinyi’s second half equalizer.

The result, despite maintaining K’Ogalo’s unbeaten start to the season (2W 2D), saw the reigning champions lose ground on Posta Rangers who went two points clear on 10 points.

Ingwe break scoring jinx under Juma

For three matches running, 12-time champions AFC Leopards had failed to find the back of the net under new head coach Tom Juma who took over from Belgian tactician Patrick Aussems.

The worrying trend led to mixed reactions from the fanbase that culminated with the club’s National Executive Committee forced to throw their weight behind the technical bench following ‘Juma must go’ chants from the supporters just three games into his tenure.

Also Read: Ingwe come to the defense of underfire Tom Juma

On Saturday the pressure bore some fruits as the team managed to at least see their side break the scoring jinx as Brian Yakhama and Cliff Nyakeya scored the club’s first two goals in their fourth match of the season.

The fans were however made to wait longer for a taste of victory as Rashid Toha struck late on to force a 2-2 draw with Kenneth Muguna having opened the scoring earlier.

The result leaves Ingwe in 13th place on the log on 3 points (3D 1L), seven points behind log leaders Posta Rangers.

Ulinzi, City Stars, Sharks off the mark with first wins of the season

2010 champions Ulinzi Stars moved from the bottom of the log after Boniface Muchiri’s free kick helped the Soldiers record their first victory of the season following a 1-0 win over Sofapaka.

Kariobangi Sharks also recorded a similar scoreline courtesy of Geoffrey Onyango’s winner against Shabana for their first win.

Nairobi City Stars came from behind for their first victory as goals from Kelvin Etemesi and Rowland Makati saw the Nicholas Muyoti coached side beat Nzoia Sugar 2-1.

The result leaves Kenya Police, Sofapaka, Shabana, Muhoroni Youth and Ingwe as the only other sides yet to get off the mark.

Also Read: Eliud Kipchoge wins the Berlin Marathon for a record-breaking fifth time

Shabana struggles continue on top-flight return as Murang’a Seal stumble

Having ended their 17-year absence from the top league, Shabana have failed to catch on immediately to the demands of their new surrounding as they succumbed to their second defeat of the campaign in the 0-1 loss to Sharks.

The defeat left them still in search of their first win as they have now managed two points from the opening twelve available.

Meanwhile, Murang’a Seal, who are making their debut in the top tier, suffered a second consecutive loss, watering down their stupendous start to the season where they got back-to-back wins and even topped the table.

Matchday 4 results

Shabana 0-1 Kariobangi Sharks

Bidco United 3-1 Talanta FC

Tusker FC 1-0 Muhoroni Youth

Kenya Police 2-2 AFC Leopards

Nairobi City Stars 2-1 Nzoia Sugar

KCB 0-0 Bandari

Ulinzi Stars 1-0 Sofapaka

Murang’a Seal 0-1 Posta Rangers

Kakamega Homeboyz 1-1 Gor Mahia