B. OsanoFKFPL Review: Gor Mahia on the overtaking lane after sipping cold Tusker
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 23.10.23. | 07:49
Whether the unbowed Matano the Lion will now be shown the door remains to be seen
Week seven of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) 2023/24 season promised and delivered high-octane action that left in its wake both cheers and jeers.
In the end, only defending champions Gor Mahia still stood tall without tasting the anguish of defeat, while nemesis AFC Leopards remained the only side devoid of a win.
Sofapaka got the better of the star-studded Police FC, under the new management of Croatian coach Zdravko Logarusic - edging them out 1-0 in Machakos - to escape the winless club that now has only Ingwe left.
K'Ogalo beat Tusker FC 1-0 to pile pressure on coach Robert Matano who had been given an ultimatum by the club's hierarchy to win the game or lose his job.
Whether the unbowed Matano the Lion will now be shown the door remains to be seen.
Benson Omala, the league's leading top scorer, was the brewers' tormentor - scoring the controversial goal to take his total tally to seven goals in seven games.
Leopards under new coach Tomas Trucha went down 1-0 at the Coast in the hands of Bandari FC as their poor start to the season persisted.
The pain was too much to bear for fans, some of whom wept uncontrollably as they sought answers as to what could be ailing their beloved club.
For the umpteenth time, Shabana flattered to deceive - conceding late into their clash against visiting Nairobi City Stars at Raila Odinga Homabay County Stadium.
Leopards woes could be deeper than just coaching
Even after returning coach Tomas Trucha for a second spell, Ingwe could still not get their first win of the season against a very inconsistent Bandari FC.
As he left his position, former coach Tom Juma talked of "cartels" who are sinking the club with their unbridled selfish interests.
Maybe it is time Leopards faithful delved deeper and looked at the other aspects of the club that could be responsible for the team's poor on-field performance.
Did the team have enough rest after enduring a long bus ride to Mombasa? Was that the best arrangement for a top club that wants to compete?
These questions must now be asked.
No quick fix for Police quest for quick glory
After recording two back-to-back victories since the arrival of Logarusic, Police FC were brought down from cloud nine with a stinging 1-0 loss at Sofapaka.
The Batoto Ba Mungu were without a win and had endured a five-game losing streak going into the fixture.
Yet, it was Logarusic's reaction to the loss that left tongues wagging.
The Croat, known for his no-nonsense approach to management, committed the players to an abrupt training session under the darkness at the Machakos Stadium.
During the match, the former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards coach made several changes in what seemed like he was still yet to understand his squad well.
Known as the league's moneybags, Police FC splashed out again in the last transfer weekend - signing all the big names they could lay their hands on.
Unfortunately, this investment is yet to yield results on the field, begging the question should Police rethink their approach?
Shabana just can't hang on to leads
Against Police FC, Tore Bobe succumbed to a late equalizer - denying what would have been their first victory of not only the season but since their return to the top flight in over a decade.
It was no different this week when Nairobi City Stars snatched a later leveler just when they were just about to pop the champagne.
Shabana have lost maximum points in this manner in a couple more fixtures.
The fact that they concede deep into games have made it look like it is by design, but coaches will tell you that the opening and the closing minutes of a game are always the most crucial and require players to be at their maximum concentration.
