Nine things we learned in KPL Round One

The 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) got underway at the weekend with Bandari surprising Gor Mahia at Mombasa while Vihiga United showed little respect for Ulinzi Stars.

Nzoia Sugar, Kakamega Homeboyz, Mathare United, returnees Western Stima and Sofapaka also picked wins as the opening weekend delivered only two draws.

Nation Sport presents the nine things we learned from the SPL this weekend:

1. King’atua can propel Bandari to the title

David King’atua has emerged as key player for Bandari since joining the Dockers in January 2015. In his first season at the club, King’atua guided the club to a fourth place finish and the domestic cup.

He left the club for a stint with Swedish third division side Oskarshamns but since his return early this year he showed his class as Bandari achieved a historic second place finish in the league.

On Saturday, he opened his account for the new season cleverly intercepting Philemon Otieno’s back pass to beat Boniface Oluoch from close range. His goal proved to be the winner against Gor Mahia after Nicholas Kipkurui pulled one back for the visitors.

Under Twahir Muhiddin, Ken Odhiambo and now Bernard Mwalala, King’atua has remained consistent. If his bright start is anything to go by, he could write history again with Bandari this time guiding them to the title.

2.Tsuma can now flourish in Duncan Otieno’s absence

Nicknamed Kante after Chelsea’s French midfield dynamo N’Golo, Said Tsuma showed why he is drawing comparisons with the World Cup winner against Kariobangi Sharks on Sunday.

He showed a lot of promise at Thika United but his star is now on the rise at AFC Leopards where he has made the defensive midfield position his own. The transfer of Duncan Otieno to Zambian giants Nkana has now made it apparent that Tsuma will be a regular for Ingwe this season.

What he lacks in terms of physique and combativeness, he complements with a brilliant football brain and ability to read the game. His snappy interceptions stood out as he excelled as a shield to a new-look Leopards back four.

With AFC Leopards having gifted ball players in midfield and willing runners on the flanks, Tsuma’s passing range will certainly improve and more playing time will help him mature to one of the best defensive midfielders in the country. A young Daniel Ogada comes to mind.

3. Kevin Kimani is the real deal

While a young Chemelil Sugar side offered little competition for Mathare United on Saturday, Kevin Kimani seized the opportunity to show how good a signing he is.

The Slum Boys coach Francis Kimanzi has described him as a “big asset” and he lived up to expectations. His movement off the ball made the hosts’ attack tick and if they were more clinical the score line would have been better than 2-0.

His deliveries from set-pieces were always begging for contact and Clifford Alwanga met one from a corner with a solid header for the second goal. Kimani's impact was palpable on match day one and it looks like Kimanzi has found the missing piece in the jigsaw.

4.Ulinzi’s military engagements could prove costly

After finishing fourth last term in his first season in charge at Ulinzi Stars, Dunstan Nyaudo had all reasons to consider challenging for the title in 2018/19. However his title ambitions were checked by Vihiga United at Bukhungu on Sunday who blanked the soldiers 2-0.

Nyaudo rued the absence of seven key players with the trio of George Omondi, Masita Masuta and Oscar Wamalwa set to miss out the whole season due to military training. Masuta and Wamalwa will particularly be missed upfront where Nyaudo will now have to rely on the inexperienced Elijah Mwanzia and Enos Ochieng’.

Last season, the absence of regulars Geoffrey Kokoyo, Brian Birgen and Boniface Onyango was largely felt as Nyaudo inherited a young team from Benjamin Nyangweso.

With three key players unavailable, Nyaudo has to find a new combination upfront but he is time-constrained. This being a transition season in Kenyan football might mean Ulinzi’s attack will gel late on and the Soldiers might just end up shelving their title ambitions for another season.

5. Tusker needs to learn how to close shop

Robert “The Lion” Matano came to within 10 minutes of a big win at Awendo on Sunday until Enock Agwanda happened.

Tusker had led from the 38^th minute when David Juma gave them the lead. However on 80 minutes, Agwanda equalized to deny the visitors maximum points.

The last time the Brewers picked three points at Sony Sugar was in October 2016 and they went ahead to win the league. Matano is obviously gutted that they failed to protect their slim lead to the final whistle.

In his last title winning campaign, Matano’s Tusker was the best defensive side in the league conceding only 14 goals in 30 matches. They scored 39 that year as they piped Gor Mahia to the title on the last day of the season.

In Boniface Muchiri, Michael Madoya, Timothy Otieno, Jackson Macharia and Billy Oporia, Matano has one of the best attack in the league. His team will certainly score goals but whether they can defend will shape their pursuit for the title.

6. Can Avire realise his potential at Sofapaka?

Touted as the next big thing after impressing in the 2015 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association games while turning out for Passenga Secondary School, John Avire is yet to realise his potential.

He scored the winner against Laiser Hill in the final of the KSSSA games to hand Passenga their only national title. He was snapped up immediately by Bandari in January 2016 but competition for places saw the Mombasa-based side loan him out to Kakamega Homeboyz in 2018 after struggling to find playing time.

At Homeboyz, his route to the first eleven was blocked by Allan Wanga forcing him to join Nakumatt (now Mt Kenya United) in June. Here, he flourished under Melis Medo who made him one of his prime targets after moving to Sofapaka.

After scoring on his debut for Batoto Ba Mungu with a diving header, Avire has shown he is ready to repay Medo’s trust whenever he is given a chance. At only 20, age is still on his side and he could join a long list of forwards who have blossomed at Sofapaka.

Fiston Abdulrazak, Enock Agwanda, Danson Kago all arrived as prodigies and left as accomplished players.

7. Kemboi still has the knack for important goals

His indefatigable work rate and speed might have evaded Wesley Kemboi but his knack for scoring important goals clearly hasn’t. The veteran Western Stima forward ensured the powermen returned to the SPL on a winning note, his goal helping them to a 1-0 win over Posta Rangers.

While his former teammates Fredrick Shimonyo, Hudson Muhako and George Wesa have all hanged their boots, Kemboi is still going strong. He showed Paul Ogai on Saturday that he has something to offer. The youthful forwards at Stima - Herbert Kopany, Henry Onyango, Kevin Okoth and John Mwita – can learn a lot from Kemboi as Stima look to re-establish themselves in the topflight.

While he may not be in the national team frame as he was in 2012 during Henry Michel’s brief stint, Kemboi’s experience could prove crucial for Ogai in his first season in the SPL.

8. Zoo could struggle

For the first time since they were promoted in 2017, Zoo lost to Nzoia Sugar at home with Collins Wakhungu soring the solitary goal.

The Kericho Green Stadium has proved to be a fortress for Zoo regardless of the opposition. Mid-table sides and accomplished teams in the SPL have struggled to crack Zoo there but Nzoia picked their first win of the season at the same venue on Sunday.

Even more worrying is that Nzoia has lost key players - defenders Festus Okiring, Tom Teka, Brian Otieno, goalkeeper Mustapha Oduor and forwards Patrick Kwitonda, Luke Namanda - this transfer window yet Zoo could not find a way past them.

It seems the departure of their marksmen Mike Madoya and Nicholas Kipkirui is already biting and the sooner Sammy Okoth addresses the inadequacies in attack, the better. Else, Zoo could find the going tough this season.

9. KCB need to grind results

Kakamega Homeboyz were second best for majority of their season opener against KCB on Sunday but when it mattered most they scored through Maxwell Ravel in the second half.

For all their impressive passing and dominance, the Bankers left Bukhungu without a point and this should be a red flag for Frank Ouna. In attack he had KCB’s top scorer in the last two seasons Simon Abuko, Kenya Under-23 international Chrispinus Onyango and Shami Kibwana yet there were no goals.

While Abuko actually found the net but his goal was disallowed for offside, a frustrated Kibwana was sent off with 12 minutes left for a reckless tackle. The SPL is not a bed of roses especially if you let games slip and Ouna realised that in his first full season as head coach with Wazito last term.

On a good day like KCB enjoyed on Sunday, trips to Western Kenya should yield at least a point. That KCB ended up losing means they should consider changing their strategy for away games.