Kenya Football .:. Story - Kpl Soccer Review-kcb Takes Early Lead

KENYA Commercial Bank (KCB) have now taken an early lead in the Kenya Premier League (KPL) log after amassing nine points. The Bankers have so far won three consecutive matches.

Nevertheless, as the League entered its third week, its still quite early to pinpoint who exactly will command bragging rights in the first leg. Teams start well in the early stages only to fade in the second leg.

KCB latest victims apart from AFC Leopards and Posta Rangers are defending Champions Sofapaka who went down fighting 2-1 in a thrilling encounter staged over the weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Ulinzi Stars who were held to a disappointing barren draw by debutants Posta Rangers and Western Stima, 2-1 victors over Red Berets in Nakuru are jointly sharing the second slot with seven points apiece.

Tusker who tasted their first defeat over the weekend after losing 2-1 to Sher Karuturi have dropped from second to fourth spot with six points. They are tying on points with Sher Karuturi.

The Bankers who lost over 12 players last season including their former defensive kingpin Pascal Ochieng appears heading to make headlines in the print and electronic media.

With no room for error, each match now appears like a final as each club wants to prove their new signings are equal to the task. The Bankers for instance have shown consistency despite losing most of their key players to other clubs.

Against Sofapaka, the Bankers started the match abit timidly and they sat back absorbing pressure. However, they shifted gear in the second half especially after conceeding a 54th minute goal scored by Sofapaka's Anthony Kimani. They exploded in the last 10 minutes scoring two quick goals scored by Ezekiel Odera and Geoffrey Maina in the 86th and 87th minute to give the defending Champions their first defeat.

Sofapaka cheering squad comprising of drum-beating squad could not dampen the Bankers attacking zeal and fighting spirit.

So far,six teams still maintain their unbeaten run. They include Ulinzi Stars,Western Stima,Sony Sugar,Mathare United, Nairobi City Stars and early pace-setters KCB.

Apart from Sofapaka, other teams that suffered miserable defeats include Tusker, Thika United, Red Berets and Chemelil Sugar who lost at home to the visiting Sony Sugar with a solitary goal.

Subsequently, it was a bumper harvest for Western Stima and Sher Karuturi who registered identical 2-1 win over their opponents. Western Stima "electrocuted" Red Berets in Nakuru in a match beamed live by Super Sports Pay channel.

Joseph Asuza put the soldiers ahead in the 59th minute.But the lead changed hands when Brian Masiolo and Wesley Kemboi cancelled the lead in the dying minutes with two late strikes to silence the Ruaraka soldiers who reverted their home-ground to Nakuru.

Sher Karuturi gave their former coach James Nandwa something to ponder with his Tusker charges. The alemen were defeated 2-1. The loss saw Tusker slip from second to fourth spot with six points .

AFC Leopards registered their first victory with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Thika United. The win was not only widely celebrated by Leopards chanting fans but eased more tension after the glamour team was bundled out of the CAF Confederation tournament by Ethiopia Banks on 4-3 goal aggregate.

Elsewhere, newly promoted Posta Rangers were held to a goalless draw by battle-hardened Ulinzi Stars at the Nairobi city Stadium. Rangers coached by Peter Ambetsa were the more enterprising side and should have won the tie but a string of missed chances cost them dearly with the biggest culprit being Charles Okwemba and former Sofapaka striker Melobo Pilipili.

KPL results -

Posta Rangers 0Ulinzi Stars 0,Chemelil Sugar 0 Sony Sugar 1,KCB 2 Sofapaka 1, Red Berets 1 Western Stima 2, Sher Karuturi 2 Tusker 1,Mahakama 0 City Stars 0, AFC Leopards 1 Thika United 0.

KPL STANDINGS P W D L F A Pts

1 KCB 3 3 0 0 5 1 9
3 Western Stima 3 2 1 0 3 1 7
2 Ulinzi Stars 3 2 1 0 2 0 7
4 Tusker 3 2 0 1 8 4 6
5 Sher Karuturi 3 2 0 1 3 3 6
6 Sony Sugar 3 1 2 0 2 1 5
7 Sofapaka 2 1 0 1 3 2 3
8 Mathare United3 0 3 0 3 3 3
9 City Stars 3 0 3 0 2 2 3
10 . AFC 2 1 0 1 1 2 3
11 Mahakama 3 0 2 1 1 2 2
12 Gor Mahia 3 0 2 1 0 1 2
13 Chemelil 3 0 1 2 1 3 1
14 Posta Rangers 3 0 1 2 1 5 1
15 Thika United 2 0 0 2 0 2 0
16 Red Berets 2 0 0 2 2 5 0