Kenya's Tusker FC wins soccer premier league

Kenya's Tusker FC will represent Kenya at next season's Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions league after they held on to their domestic league crown in a dramatic climax to the campaign on Saturday. Trailing former CAF Cup Winners Gor Mahia by a single point prior to the final round of play, the Brewers prevailed after crushing City Stars 3-0 as their rivals were held to a 1-1 draw by Thika United in matches played in Nairobi. The third side that could have nicked the crown on the last day, AFC Leopards who were third on goal difference from Tusker on 57 points saw their aspirations ended by a 1-0 reverse to Chemelil Sugar in a rain soaked Awendo Green Stadium in the western region of Kenya. Tusker coach Robert Matano celebrated his second league title in three years after the side he inherited from Sammy Omollo crushed City Stars with Dominic Odipo, who had not scored for the entire season netting a brace as Fred Ojwang applied the icing late on. Gor were left desolate despite Rama Salim giving them hope when he cancelled out Kennedy Odhiambo first half opener 13 minutes from full time. Jonathan Mwangi's 16th minute breakaway strike was enough for Chemelil to skin Leopards. "I promised to defend the title when I came here 10 games ago and that is what has happened today. "I'm so happy for this team because they played like the champions they are," Matano who led Sofapaka to the title in 2009 said after the final whistle. Tusker will feature in the continental showpiece for the second season running keen on bettering their preliminary-round exit earlier this year. For Leaopards who needed six second half goals to overhaul the Brewers from their patch, defeat was laced with optimism. Tusker's triumph was all the more puzzling as Gor who won eight straight matches before Saturday have not dropped points since their 2-2 draw against Mathare United in August. Tusker will face Sofapaka in the semifinals at the Football Kenya Federation Cup and unless the Bottlers clinch the double, the winner will go on to represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup.