Busia based Mayenje Santos lifted the overall Football Kenya Federation (FKF)Division One League title after overcoming Dimba Patriots from Nairobi in a do or die play off fixture staged at Kericho stadium on Friday afternoon.
Dimba Patriots, who topped the Division One Zone ‘A’ standings last season failed to replicate their glittering show despite scoring first through Nembi Richard first half strike.
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Mayenje Santos 2-1 Dimba Patriots
Mayenje are the 2021/22 #DivOne Champions #NSL #FKFTransitioncommittee pic.twitter.com/TX64ctigg7
— FKF Transition Committee (@FKFtransition) August 5, 2022
Sije Yasin equalised for Mayenje from the penalty spot 17 minutes later before their influential striker Robert Wanyama finished the business for Western side following goalkeeping complacency by Dimba custodian at the end of second half.
Head coach and former Harambee Stars Under-20 tactician Vince Ombiji who was represented by his deputy Fredrick Wasike lauded his boys for maintaining focus which was key to their long awaited breakthrough.
“It feels great we did this and I’m so much happy. We understood loopholes of our opponents and capitalised on available chances during the fisth half. NSL is a tough league but we’re upto the task,we intend to play once in NSL before we move to top top tier just like we have done previously in lower leagues” noted Wasike
Last year, Mayenje Santos qualified for the Division One League after beating De La Sharks from Uasin Gishu 2-1 in the finals of the mini-league played at Mumboha Stadium in Luanda, Vihiga County.
They received Kshs 500,000 courtesy of FKF Transition Committee which was represented by Chairman Major General (Retired) Maurice Oyugi in the company of former Kenya internationals JJ Masiga and Bobby Ogola.
Both teams have secured promotion to the second tier National Super League (NSL) courtesy of topping their respective zones.
Earlier on,Kona Rangers from the remote village of Kona Mbaya, Matunda in Kakamega County finished third to also qualify for NSL next season after defeating Kangemi Allstars during the Division One third place play off staged at the same venue.
The Western region side weathered the storm in the first 25 minutes with their opponents coming close to finding the back of the net but good goalkeeping by Reuben Nyongesa and solid defence denied them the golden opportunity.
Rangers came back into the game taking a deserved lead during the second half through Alvin Walekhwa spotkick following horrendous goalkeeping display by the Kangemi custodian.
Minutes later,Humphrey Mareba added the second to guarantee Mohamed Ali’s charges of a spot in the second tier during the upcoming campaign
“I’m happy I’ve won to be eligible to play in NSL next season,my boys gave it their all according to instructions I had given them before the match.I’m used to these kind of games because it’s my second time I’m winning such.In 2012 when I was in charge of Mumcop FC I won play-off in similar version and during our stint in second tier during the upcoming campaign we’ll do our best.The target is to play in KPL and my boys know that,we’re leaving no stone untouched” he said
The three teams took the places of Zoo, Gusii and Dandora Love who were all relegated from the NSL.
