All set for the 2021/22 Kenyan Premier League season
The brewers will look to shake off aspersions cast on their glory and possibly prove that their victory wasn't merely by fluke.
Mathare's Chrispin Ochieng (L) challenges Ernest Wendo of Gor Mahia during their Premier League match at Kasarani.
Image: ERICK BARASA
The much-awaited Kenyan Premier League season comes alive this weekend with nine matches lined up.
Football enthusiasts are crossing their fingers in the hope of new dawn devoid of the pitfalls that characterised the preceding season.
AFC Chairman Dan Shikanda and his Gor Mahia counterpart Ambrose Rachier on Wednesday painted the grim reality that defined their torrid journey, both summarising it as one they would wish to forget instantly.
All eyes will be on the three debutants, FC Talanta, Vihiga Bullets and Kenya Police. While the first two secured direct promotion slots after finishing top and second respectively, the law enforcers barged past Vihiga United in the grueling two-legged play-off.
Talanta face a baptism of fire against Wazito at Ruaraka grounds on Saturday while their counterparts, Vihiga Bullets, gauge their mettle against Bidco United at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
Kenya Police dare Kakamega Homeboyz to a battle at Bukhungu on Sunday while coastal side, Bandari, will flex muscles with Mathare United at Mbaraki Stadium on Saturday.
Nairobi City Stars travel to Wundanyi to square if off with hosts Sofapaka on Sunday while Ulinzi Stars will lock horns with Nzoia Sugar at ASK Grounds.
All set for the 2021/22 Kenyan Premier League season
The brewers will look to shake off aspersions cast on their glory and possibly prove that their victory wasn't merely by fluke.
www.the-star.co.ke
FKF-PL season set to begin amid financial challenges
By Godfrey Ashiali For Citizen Digital
AFC Leopards defenders Collins Shivachi (C) and Isaac Kipyegon (R) during a past training session. (PHOTO/AFC Leopards Media)
The new FKF Premier League season is scheduled to kick off on Saturday but several clubs are in financial turmoil and the league itself is without a title sponsor.
Kenya’s most successful clubs Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards are no exception after struggling financially last season with players going for months without salaries.
At Gor though, the situation appears to be getting better with the former champions now able to recruit new squad members after clearing debts owed to former players.
In the Leopards camp, the club has elected to go for players in the youth team to bolster the playing unit as they race against time to clear salary arrears of their former head coach Casa Mbungo and former players Soter Kayumba and goalkeeper Eric Bakame Ndayishimiye.
Consequently, Mathare United captain David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng is predicting a much tougher FKF-PL 2021-2022 season financially as the Covid-19 pandemic effect continues to bite.
The former AFC Leopards central defender has revealed that Mathare will carry last season’s financial woes into the new season since they have no sponsor just like many clubs.
“Financially I think the whole federation is financially sick. For example Football Kenya Federation lost their main sponsors last year and as you are aware just yesterday the national team Harambee Stars lost their sponsors.
Personally I can say that the league is crumbling and the clubs too. At Mathare we have been getting sponsors and losing them for the last five years.
I don’t think this new season will be different from the struggles we have had last season unless something special happens,” Ochieng said.
Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa has on his part said that last season’s financial struggles will however change this season as they have agreed with their betting firm sponsor that players will receive their pay in time.
“We are okay because we have corrected last season’s faults. After holding talks with our sponsors I can say we have planned on how players will be paid on time unlike last season.
Corona really affected us last season but this season I think we are good to go,” Kalekwa said.
And Kakamega Homeboyz patron Cleophas Toto Shimanyula is ready to keep supporting his boys in all means despite being neglected by their main sponsors who are the Kakamega County Government.
“We have a sponsor (Kakamega County Government) but we have never seen their money for the last one year.
However we have another sponsor, a betting company who will help me as I dig deep into the pockets to steady the sheep financially,” Shimanyula said.
FKF-PL season set to begin amid financial challenges
Kenya’s most successful clubs Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards are no exception after struggling financially last season with players going for months without salaries
OPENING FIXTURES
Tusker Supercup winners
Tusker beat Gor Mahia on penalties to win the Supercup
No Sponsors for the League?
My Prediction for the Final 2021-2022 Table
1) KCB
2) Tusker
3) Gor
4) AFC
5) Bandari
6) Sofapaka
7) Homeboyz
8) Kariobangi Sharks
9) Ulinzi
10) City stars
11) Bidco
12) Wazito
13) Posta Rangers
14) Nzoia
15) Mathare
16) Talanta
17) Kenya Police
18) Vihiga Bullets
the problem might be funding/sponsorship. the teams below might have the fighting spirit but will lack proper motivation.
But am sure there will be a surprise winner or one of the promoted teams will finish in the top 8.
