Gor determined to reclaim top spot despite minor setback

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry has said they are well in contention for the Kenyan Premier League title despite the cut-throat competition they are facing.

K'Ogalo suffered a minor setback to their title aspirations after squandering a 1-0 lead to share spoils with Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu stadium.

"We have had a good run and at some point even topped the league. Second place is still a strategic position and we intend to defend our title," McKninistry said.

The tactician said the pathetic surface at Bukhungu made it difficult for them to display their full potential in the evenly contested encounter.

"We have a better pitch in Nairobi and we shall leverage it to exhibit beautiful and entertaining football," he said.

Posta Rangers reclaimed the Kenyan Premier League summit after Round Four fixtures that were played over the weekend. The Mailmen have won three out of the four encounters they have played this season and their worst result is a draw.

Sunday's narrow 1-0 win over newbies Murang'a Seal fired them to seven points, two better than second-placed Gor Mahia. Head coach John Kamau said he is satisfied with the run of his charges thus far.

"We are doing great. Three wins in four games and a draw is no mean achievement and the boys certainly need a pat on the back for such an amazing performance," Kamau said.

"We displayed a good game today and we could have celebrated a huge win if we had made good use of the chances we created. We need to do a lot more in front of the opponent's goal," Kamau remarked.

Kamau has urged his charges to step on the gas peddle and keep their title hopes alive.

Ulinzi Stars finally tasted the sweetness of victory after fighting tooth and nail to register a win over Sofapaka at the Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi.

The soldiers experienced a torrid start to the season after undergoing a three-match winless streak.

Ulinzi head coach Anthony Kimani, who was appointed to guide the side at the beginning of the season, finally heaved a sigh of relief.

The win means a lot to us. It was a morale-boosting performance. We hope to extend the spirit into our next matches. It's still early in the season and we still stand a good chance in charging for the title," Kimani said.

AFC Leopards should have picked their first win of the season but a dramatic comeback by Kenya Police condemned them to yet another draw. Head coach Tom Juma said he was disappointed they failed to nail a win at home.

"It is a match we should have sealed but there were concentration lapses that ruined our day. Anyway, that's football and we live to fight another day," said Juma. 

Juma has been under intense pressure in the recent weeks with enraged fans joining a ballooning chorus asking for his resignation.

Murang'a Seal might have had a marvelous beginning in their maiden appearance on the top flight stage but their last two defeats have likely dampened their spirits.

Head coach Gabriel 'Kingi' Njoroge expressed disappointment at their second consecutive loss this season.

"We started the season well with two back-to-back wins but it appears we are now losing it. I believe we have noted the areas we need to work on," Njoroge said.

He said they would work hard to address their weaknesses in the squad before their next match.

"We are traveling to Bungoma next weekend to face Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium and, hopefully, we shall be able to claim all three points to put ourselves in a strategic position," he added.

It was yet another disappointing outing for KPL returnees Shabana FC who conceded another late goal to go down 1-0 against Kariobangi Sharks.

Interestingly, Shabana have conceded all goals in the 90th minute. Nairobi City Stars stunned Nzoia Sugar 2-1 at the Ruaraka grounds while KCB and Bandari played out a barren draw at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.