FKF-PL: Focus on relegation battle as Posta Rangers and Talanta begin fight

The FKF Premier League returns this weekend with matchweek 17 fixtures headlined by a crucial relegation battle between Posta Rangers and Nairobi City Stars.

Posta Rangers, languishing at the bottom of the table with just 11 points from 14 games, face a must-win encounter at the Machakos Stadium at 1pm on Saturday.

Rangers are winless in their last six matches, a dismal run that includes losses to Tusker (3-1), Murang’a SEAL (1-0), and Kariobangi Sharks (1-0). They have also managed three draws, against Kakamega Homeboyz, FC Talanta, and Shabana.

Despite their struggles, Posta will hope to turn their fortunes around as they aim to narrow the six-point gap between themselves and safety.

Their head-to-head record against City Stars is evenly contested, with Rangers losing their last two meetings but winning twice in their previous five encounters, alongside one draw.

City Stars, who sit precariously in 14th place with 16 points, are also desperate for a win to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

In the second game of the day, FC Talanta, occupying the playoff spot in 16th place with 14 points, face 12th-placed Kakamega Homeboyz from 4pm at the same grounds.

Talanta, led by Emmanuel Osoro—joint-fifth on the top scorers’ chart with five goals—will look to build momentum and climb out of danger.

Meanwhile, Tusker, sitting second with 27 points, can reclaim the top spot with a win against Shabana in Kisii.

However, the Brewers will miss their top scorer Ryan Ogam, who is on international duty with Harambee Stars at the Mapinduzi Cup. Ogam leads the Golden Boot race with 13 goals, a five-goal cushion over KCB’s Francis Kahiro.

Shabana, currently in ninth place with 20 points, will rely on their talisman Brian Michira, who has netted seven goals this season, to pull off an upset.