After outlining the possibilities for winning the 2022–23 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) championship with only two rounds of games remaining, let’s now delve even further and look at the chances that either Wazito FC or Mathare United will avoid being demoted automatically from the top division.
The first automatic relegation spot has already been taken by Vihiga Bullets FC, who are stuck in position 18 and have no possibility of moving even one position higher, even if they win their remaining two games.
Wazito is now in the relegation playoff spot (position 16), leaving Mathare United as the only other potential possibility for the inevitable drop in the second consecutive relegation berth (position 17).
Notably, neither of the two teams has a direct way out of the hangman’s knot; the only way out is through the relegation playoff place (16).
Nairobi City Stars (position 15) cannot be overtaken since they have amassed an insurmountable amount of points between them and the pursuing group.
The erstwhile moneybags have a comfortable four-point lead over Mathare United and a better goal differential, so they only need two points out of a possible six to have a chance of avoiding relegation in the National Super League (NSL) relegation playoff matchup against the third-placed team.
In the decisive match at Got Alila, victory over either Mathare United or Bidco United will do. Additionally, the Muhoroni-based team can afford to draw both of those games and still escape the sledgehammer.
The best chance of avoiding relegation and a bonus would be to win the two games.
Even if the Slum Boys’ chances are slim, they can still hope.
The 2008 FKFPL champions must defeat Ulinzi Stars and Wazito FC in their final two matches to sail to temporal safety since their fate is out of their control.
Mathare United must win against Ulinzi Stars or draw against them, I repeat, or else it’s game over for them.
The fact that their final game will be played in Wazito at the notorious Muhoroni Stadium, commonly known as Got Alila, doesn’t make it any easier.
Got Alila, who some fans almost see as a football shrine, has defeated numerous opponents this season, including title-hunting Tusker.
As things stand, it is obvious that you do not want to be in Mathare United’s position; nevertheless, as the cliche goes, anything is possible in life, and football is no exception.
by: Davismbugi