Its a three-horse race as KPL enters the penultimate round

A resilient Sofapaka have thrown the Kenyan Premier League title race wide open with a performance worthy of title contenders as they struck down Gor Mahia 3-2 at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Sunday.

Victory for ‘Batoto ba Mungu’ over their direct title rivals heightened the stakes as the fight for the coveted title heads to the penultimate round.

The outcome of the match also opened a small window of opportunity for third-placed Tusker to push the top two sides all the way to the finish line.

As it stands, Gor Mahia are still ahead of the pack on 54 points, one point ahead of Sofapaka with Tusker third on 51 points.

But Gor, who have 13 league titles under their belt on paper have ‘easier’ fixtures against Muhoroni Youth and Ushuru FC in their last two matches.

Sofapaka, on the other hand, will next meet AFC Leopards before facing Tusker on the final match day.

Of the three title contenders, it is Tusker who have the biggest odds stacked against them as they seek to reclaim the title given that their ambitions are heavily pegged on arithmetic.

For the brewers to be crowned champions, they must beat both Thika United and Sofapaka while hoping that Gor Mahia also falters.

Regardless, Gor coach Frank Nuttal remains optimistic that his team can still clinch the diadem. “There are two matches remaining and we will see what happens. Our opponents are also trying to win the title but we have to give our best,” Nuttal said after Sunday’s match.

In his part Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe lauded his players for their brave fight but insisted that Gor are still favourites.

On the lower end of the table, Top Fry’s relegation has left City Stars in a two-way battle for survival.