The intense battle for promotion and survival in the country's third-tier league has reached a thrilling climax following an action-packed round of matches.
There are only eight matches remaining in the FKF Division One League after the conclusion of match week 30.
Match Day 30 brought more excitement as Luanda Villa and Young Bulls secured statement victories against St. Joseph's Youth and Kenya Navy, respectively, in two captivating encounters. Meanwhile, Liberty Sports Academy surprised Zetech Titans, moving closer to safety, while Kibera United left it late against Ruiru Hot Stars to escape the relegation zone.
In Zone B, relegation contenders Sunderland Keroche and Bondo United shared the spoils, keeping their survival hopes alive, while GDC Nakuru inched closer to the dreaded drop after a humiliating defeat to Commandos.
Now, let's dive into the highlights from round 30 of the FKF Division One League:
Gor Mahia Youth's demotion:
It has been an arduous season for K'ogalo Juniors, plagued by points deductions, walkovers, and fielding insufficient players. The final blow came on Sunday when the club failed to pay the referees' fees for their scheduled match against Rainbow FC at Gems Cambridge. As a result, match officials called off the game and awarded three points and two goals to Rainbow, leading to Gor Youth's relegation to the fourth-tier league. The club had already issued three walkovers and only managed two points from 27 league matches.
Impressive victories for Luanda Villa and Young Bulls:
Tom Tera's Luanda Villa and Ali Said's Young Bulls bounced back from recent setbacks with commanding performances against their opponents. Villa, with just one win in four matches, thrashed St. Joseph's Youth from Nakuru 4-0, thanks to the contributions of Gerishom Osumbi, Brian Betty, Harrison Tema, and former Bondo United player Doreck Otieno. The emphatic win propelled Villa back to the second spot in the league standings.
In Malindi, Ali Gaucho Bulls secured their first victory of the second leg, humbling Kenya Navy, the favorites for relegation, by a convincing 4-1 margin. The win extended Bulls' lead in Zone A to six points.
Green Commandos' unbeaten streak continues, Nyota FC rises:
Under the guidance of Ramadhan Balala, Green Commandos have shown remarkable improvement in the second leg, remaining unbeaten and clinching crucial victories against formidable opponents. Their winning mentality played a pivotal role as they defeated struggling GDC, who have failed to secure a win in three games and find themselves deep in the relegation zone. Commandos currently sit at the top of Zone B with 48 points, enjoying an impressive five-game unbeaten run. Meanwhile, in Mumias, Mohamed Ali's Nyota FC applied pressure to the league leaders by securing their third consecutive victory, defeating flower growers Vegpro 2-1. This remarkable surge in form has placed Nyota FC fourth in the standings, eight points away from the promotion race.
Player Exodus affects Malindi Progressive:
Malindi Progressive suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat against 3K FC, extending their winless streak to four matches. The decline in form can be attributed to a massive exodus of senior players from the club. Notably, custodian Richard Ebenyo Bacha has left, and the consequences of these departures are evident in the team's performances. Currently, the Malindi-based club sits seventh in Zone A standings with 42 points.
These are the notable highlights from the eventful round 30 of the FKF Division One League. The promotion race and relegation battle promise to deliver further excitement.