Doomed Thika United, Wazito Finally Bid SPL Farewell
27th September 2018
Chemelil boost survival chances by beating bottom side 1-0 at Thika Sub-County Stadium
- Bottom side Thika, who have been a mainstay of the top flight since 2003, were condemned to the second-tier with two games to go after succumbing to a league high 19th loss of the campaign
- The defeat also dragged SPL first timers Wazito (28) through the trapdoor with the team making a swift return to the second division National Super League (NSL) following their 1-2 defeat to Kariobangi Sharks
- The sugar millers who have been in the top flight since 1997 will battle to escape the SPL/NSL play-off slot in their remaining two games against the six clubs above them.
Bottom side Thika, who have been a mainstay of the top flight since 2003, were condemned to the second-tier with two games to go after succumbing to a league high 19th loss of the campaign at their own Thika Sub-County backyard to leave them on a paltry 23 points.
The defeat also dragged SPL first timers Wazito (28) through the trapdoor with the team making a swift return to the second division National Super League (NSL) following their 1-2 defeat to fellow Nairobi outfit Kariobangi Sharks FC on Wednesday.
Chemelil who desperately hang on for victory after Cliff Omondi gave them the opener in the 37th minute of the relegation six-pointer, improved to 35 in 16th place meaning they can no longer be caught by the doomed Thika and Wazito.
The sugar millers who have been in the top flight since 1997 will battle to escape the SPL/NSL play-off slot in their remaining two games against the six clubs above them.
Earlier in the day, the postponed fixture between Bandari FC and visiting Sofapaka (51) FC ended in a 1-1 draw at the Mbaraki Stadium in an outcome that saw the Dockers clock 59 on the table as Batoto ba Mungu leapt over AFC Leopards SC to third on goal difference.
“I thank the boys for a good performance,” Sofapaka head coach John Baraza hailed his charges following their backs to the wall performance that rescued a point.
The climax to the 2018 SPL will be an intriguing jig saw with Sony Sugar FC (39), Zoo Kericho (38), Nzoia Sugar (38) Vihiga United (37), Posta Rangers (37) and Nakumatt (36) who sit 10th to 15th in that order are still mired in the scramble to avoid the dreaded play-off spot.
Final slot
Last season, Football Kenya Federation ruled the final slot in the top flight will go to the winner between the 16th placed side in the SPL and third finishers in the NSL with the now demoted Thika the first beneficiaries after beating Ushuru FC 2-1 on aggregate over two legs.
However, Sony, who shot from the bottom of the log to 10th aided by the resurgent striker, Enock Agwanda, as well as Zoo, Nzoia, Vihiga and Rangers need only a point in their weekend SPL fixtures to nail down their places in the 2019 roster.
Sony welcome Rangers to the Awendo Green Stadium on Sunday with Nzoia at home to 2016 champions sixth-placed Tusker FC (50) who blanked AFC Leopards SC 4-0 on Wednesday as their storming finish to the season continues.
After shocking misfiring champions, Gor Mahia FC 2-0 to inch a significant step closer to safety, Vihiga host another in form side in Sharks (47) who climbed to seventh after their victory that proved to be Wazito’s last rites in the top division.
Gor, whose head coach Dylan Kerr underlined the reasons he believes are behind his team’s spectacular dip in form earlier Thursday, will be presented with the SPL trophy in Kisumu on Sunday after their encounter against Mathare United FC at the Moi Kisumu Stadium.
SPL RESULTS
Bandari 1 - 1 Sofapaka
Thika United 0 - 1 Chemelil Sugar