By sportsnewsarena correspondent
Nov 19, 2017
Gor Mahia were officially crowned the 2017 SportPesa Premier League champions on Saturday.
Western Stima joined Muhoroni Youth as the relegated teams of the season following the final round of matches of the competition.
The final day of the season was full of drama.
Gor Mahia who were already crowned champions rallied from behind to draw 2-2 with SoNy Sugar at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.
George Abege and Geulord Yema scored for SoNy Sugar while Medie Kagere grabbed a double for Gor Mahia for a season tally of 14 in the absorbing contest.
”It has been continuous hard work and good discipline and the results are here with us today. We deserved to win this championship," said Gor coach Dylan Kerr.
In the relegation battle, Western Stima thought they had done enough when reliable Wesley Kemboi netted in the 68th minute to give them a 1-0 win against Chemelil Sugar at Chemelil Sugar Sports Complex.
But Thika were also having the fight of their lives. Facing the chop with about 15 minutes remaining the Thika lads somehow survived thanks to Mwinyi Kibwana’s dead ball delivery that sailed straight into the net.
At the final whistle Thika United and Western Stima were tied on 35 points but the former had a superior goal difference.
Thika United survive relegation
As a result, Thika United survived and Western Stima were relegated after eight years in top flight. They joined Muhoroni Youth whose relegation had been confirmed two weeks back.
Muhoroni Youth had little to offer losing 1-4 to AFC Leopards at the Mumias Sugar Sports complex. The win saw AFC Leopards finish eighth.
Ulinzi crushed Tusker 4-0 at Afraha Stadium with a brace from their top striker Stephen Waruru to increase his season tally to 13.
Other goals for the soldiers came from Elvis Nandwa and Ibrahim Shambi. The win secured Ulinzi a seventh spot while deposed champions Tusker finished sixth.
League debutants Kariobangi Sharks beat Nakumatt 2-1 at Ruaraka ground on a day Juma Masoud clinched the Golden Boot award with 17 goals despite being uncharacteristically silent in this encounter.
The win secured newcomers Sharks a commendable third place finish behind Sofapaka, who beat Zoo Kericho 2-1 to close to within 19 points of winners Gor Mahia.
Saturday results: Chemelil Sugar 0 Western Stima 1, Gor Mahia 2 SoNy Sugar 2, Muhoroni Youth 1 AFC Leopards 4, Nakumatt 1 Kariobangi Sharks 2, Nzoia Sugar 1 Kakamega Homeboyz 1, Posta Rangers 2 Mathare United 2, Sofapaka 2 Zoo Kericho 1, Thika United 1 Bandari 0, Ulinzi Stars 4 Tusker 0.
KPL
