This archive report was first published on 6 September 2021.
On Sunday, the 2021 Betika National Super League season came to a close, with Vihiga Bullets securing a 2-0 win over Kibera Black Stars at Bukhungu Stadium. This victory earned them 64 points from 37 matches, securing the second automatic promotion slot in the league.
Former AFC Leopards coach Edward Manoa, who is now the tactician of Vihiga Bullets, expressed his happiness at the team's achievement, saying, “I'm happy we came from behind in the first leg to earn this opportunity. Many thanks to everyone that contributed,” he said.
Winners Talanta earned three points from a walk over on Sunday after Sony Sugar failed to honour their last match at GEMS Cambridge in Karen. They finished on 72 points, securing the top spot in the league.
Kenya Police beat Migori Youth 2-1 away in Migori to finish third and secure a promotion/relegation playoff tie against Vihiga United, who finished 16th in the recently concluded FKF-PL.
FC Talanta were handed the winners’ trophy from league sponsors Betika on Sunday. In Migori, a composed Kenya Police came from a goal down to beat the hosts at Awendo Stadium.
Ernest Oyugi gave the hosts the lead on the 39th minute, but Arvin Odoyo equalized for the visitors 12 minutes after the resumption. David Oluoch added the second goal in the 70th minute, securing the win for Kenya Police.
Migori Youth team manager Shem Wema attributed their poor performance during the season to the stoppages caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, saying, “We were fighting relegation during the start of the second leg, but basically we have tried to bridge the gap indicating that the league was tight,” he said.
Kenya Police’s experienced tactician John Bobby Ogolla said that they capitalised on their opponent’s laxity to secure the win, noting, “The officials were okay despite a few errors committed by the center referee since he denied us a clear penalty in the second half. However, the game had a lot of pressure and everyone was fighting to secure a point,” he said.
