Who will let their eyes off the ball first?
The Football Kenya Federation Premier League gets into its round of 31 matches today and tomorrow with three teams, leaders Kenya Police (58 points), second-placed Tusker (55 points) and third-placed Gor Mahia (53 points) separated by just five points.
It is to all purposes and intents, a three-horse race, four rounds of matches to the end of the season.
Never won a league title before Kenya Police are in pole position and, more importantly, hold the fate of the league race in their own hands.
The law enforcers travel to Western Kenya today to face stubborn Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Sports Complex knowing a win will take them closer writing history.
Tusker, 13-time league winners, who are likely still smarting from being denied the 2022 title by a decision by the FKF to annul the season that was run by a government constituted Transition Committee, visits lowly FC Talanta at Dandora Sports Complex intent on grabbing all three points and stay firmly in the league race.
Defending champions Gor Mahia, who have a game in hand following the postponement of their Mashemeji derby fixture against old rival AFC Leopards last weekend Sunday, will look to crush bottom of the table Nairobi City Stars tomorrow at Dandora Stadium.
Fourth -laced Shabana on 49 points and fifth-placed Kakamega Homeboyz with 48 points are also mathematically in the running to win the league but would need a miracle to see results go their way.
Police, with their array of big name players will fancy their chances but have the more trickier of fixtures compared to Tusker and Gor Mahia.
Police, who finished third last season with 57 points and again third in the 2022/23 season on 64 points, next face Talanta , then Shabana before winding up their fixtures with a possible title deciding titanic clash with the record 21-time champions K’Ogalo.
But the policemen, coached by Burundian Etienne Ndayiragije, must first deal with the potent challenge of Kakamega Homeboyz who no doubt have the ambition of finishing top-three.
In the seven meetings between the two sides, Police have won thrice, Homeboyz twice with two drawn results.
Ndayiragije will bank on the attacking duo of Mohamed Bajaber and Clinton Kinanga supported by their excellent wingmen Francis Kahata and Eric Zakayo to bang in the goals.
“We will fight to the last game. The team is hugely motivated to win their first ever Premier League title,” said Ndayiragije.
“We want to maintain our home record and since I came to this team in November last year when they had played five matches, I have never lost any game at home,” said the club head coach Francis Baraza.
Title chasing Tusker will have to be wary of Talanta who are placed 13th and fighting to stay safe in the topflight league.
“We want to take each game at a time and win our matches. Any of the three teams can win the league title so we focus on our games and points,” was all Tusker coach Charles Okere would offer.
The brewers will thereafter face Sofapaka, then Kariobangi Sharks and Kakamega Homeboyz.
Charging Gor Mahia, under coach Sinisa Mihic, will want to have a big say in the title race.
“We know forces are against us but my players are motivated. I’m sure we shall win the league.,” he said.
FC Talanta v Tusker (Dandora, 1pm)
AFC Leopards v Mathare United (Dandora, 4pm)
Kakamega Homeboyz v Kenya Police (Mumias Sport Complex, 2pm)
Shabana v Bidco United ( Gusii, 2pm)
Murangá Seal v Sofapaka (SportPesa Arena, 3pm)
Mara Sugar v Bandari (Awendo, 2pm)
Ulinzi Stars v Posta Rangers (Ulinzi Complex, 3pm)
Gor Mahia v Nairobi City Stars ( Dandora, 4pm)
Kariobangi Sharks v KCB (Dandora, 2pm)
