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Backpackers shine as league contenders’ woes compound

The bottom two teams all fighting relegation in the 2024/25 FKF-Premier league this past weekend confounded analysts with some interesting results.

Both Nairobi City Stars in bottom place and Bidco United relieved themselves off pressure with good encouraging wins against Ulinzi Stars and FC Talanta respectively. Even though they were both slim 1-0 results, it gave the pair a reason to believe and fight in a season that has been pure pain for the bottom pair. Incidentally, both sides are coached by the national Under 20 junior stars’ coaches.

It was even a better story for former Kenya Police FC tactician Salim Babu who recently moved to the Kawangware based City Stars as Coach. The master tactician has been brought onboard by the club management primarily to focus on survival. Against a strong and organized former Champion like Ulinzi Stars, the slum boys had to stay aggressive and smart in their play as they held on their nerves to secure full points courtesy of Kelvin Etemesi’s early fourth minute effort.

As for Anthony Akhulia’s Bidco, they needed a 24th minute strike by Dennis Murunga to pick a win against odds over FC Talanta. Bidco who were away also finished the match with 10 men albeit with a red card to David Gateri in added on time. Prior to this win; the Thika based side had gone four matches minus a win with three draws and a loss.

Incidentally the bottom three pitting City Stars, Bidco and Talanta are all tied on 22 points with each having played 23 matches.

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The only difference separating them at the moment is goal difference. Another struggler Murang’a Seal FC is lurking dangerously near the chopping zone having 24 points to their name off 23 games.

In their last five matches, the Central Kenya based team has lost four times consecutively and drew once; 1-1 against 12th placed Mathare United.

Meanwhile 13times league winners Tusker FC are going through a bad patch in recent times. In the last five games, the Brewers under Charles Okere have drawn five times without a win; an unheard of statistic to the ever ambitious Ruaraka based club.

At the weekend, the current second placed side went goalless against coastal lads Bandari FC leaving a lot of fans with bad taste in their mouth.

The abrupt dip in form has even affected league top-score Ryan Ogam who is yet to net a goal in six matches. Tusker is tied on 41 points with league leaders Police FC but with a match played more and a lower goal aggregate.

Tomorrow sees record Champions Gor Mahia FC clash with Kariobangi Sharks who are 14th on the log. Gor Mahia won the corresponding fixture and will want a rejuvenated performance to inch closer up the table with two matches in hand.

K’Ogalo under Croatian tactician Sinisa Mihic is third on the log with 36 points having drawn two consecutive matches.

Sharks under coach William Muluya are in troubled waters and presently in 14th place with 24 points having drawn five straight matches.

At the same time, an enthralling midweek encounter pitting Kenya Police fc and fifth placed AFC Leopards SC will be played at Dandora Stadium tomorrow. Both teams dropped points in their last matches.

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