Vihiga United will be back to Kenyan Premier League next season after a two-year absence after beating Kisumu All-Stars 5-3 on penalties in the second leg of promotion and relegation playoff on Wednesday.
Kisumu All Stars were hoping to retain their status at the top-flight of Kenyan football after securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg only for Vihiga to push the match to penalties after securing the same margin win.
Erick Otieno opened the scoring for Kisumu in the 48th minute before Denis Wafula scored an equalizer for the Vihiga a minute later.
Patrick Okulo leveled the tie in the 55th minute from a spot kick forcing the playoff match which was played in an empty stadium to the penalties.
Kisumu will now be demoted to the National Super League while Vihiga are promoted after being in the second tier for two seasons.
Vihiga got off to a great start when Henry Juma came close to scoring in the 10th minute. The young midfielder fired in a low shot from just outside the box after he met a headed ball from Lesley Owino, following an excellent cross by Sam Shindani.
It took Kisunu half an hour to get into the game, when Steve Otieno hit a low shot at goal, but Joel Bataro was equal to the task.
Kisumu efforts were finally rewarded on the closing minutes of the first stanza from Erick Otieno’s quick thinking inside the area after being set-up by Steve Otieno.
Vihiga responded immediately and pulled level courtesy of Dennis Wafula’s close range header following John Awuoth error between the posts.
Awuoth made amends for his earlier error when he made a great save, pulling the ball out from under the bar.
But the result turned in favor of Vihiga when Patrick Okulo converted a penalty after Jeconia Ogendo handled the ball in the area.
Vihiga were forced into a change as keeper Joel Bataro was stretchered off and replaced by Morgan Ambuk after the latter landed awkwardly while vying for an aerial ball.
Vihiga United has become the first team ever from the Nationwide Super League to win promotion to the top-tier via the playoffs.
Photo credit: FKFPL
