Murang'a SEAL sink Heroes to earn maiden Premier League promotion

National Super League side Murang'a SEAL Sunday afternoon became the first team to officially earn promotion to Kenyan Premier League next season after defeating Coastal Heroes 0-1 at Mbaraki Sports Club - Mombasa County.

SEAL’s lone goal was scored by Ally Yusuf in first half, and was enough to take their total season tally to 64, after 29 outings.

With only four rounds to the end of the season, SEAL are sure of promotion and could be joined by second placed Shabana FC later Sunday, if the Gusii based side beats Migori Youth in an ongoing match at the publishing of this account.

Despite earning promotion, SEAL coach Vincent Nyaberi blamed his side for not playing as they planned.

“Yes we have earned our promotion but still have work to do, we want to finish as number one and crowned champions so we have to win all our remaining matches. We would have won more convincingly had we stuck to our plan strictly," said Nyaberi.

Heroes head coach Mohammed Hussein on his side said they had many opportunities to score and win, pointing out individual mistakes to their loss.

 "Our performance was excellent and fantastic but luck was not on our side mostly because we didn't take our chances. Just few mistakes by individual players costs us those opportunities," averred Hussein.

SEAL started pulling dangerous strikes through John Kiplangat and Fabian Adiginy which were calmly dealt with by Heroes goalkeeper Said Dhadho.

In the 10th minute, Mohammed Abdilahi almost gave Heroes the lead but his shot was cleared on the line by Rajab Omar for corner.

In half-hour mark, the visitors would have scored the opener but Adiginy failed to convert a fine cross from winger Erick Balecho.

A minute to end of first half, Yusuf fired a powerful shot from six yards past Heroes keeper Said Dhadho, after a nice holding play from striker Kiplangat.

Ten minutes into second half Titus Kapchanga almost doubled the lead but his header was tipped out for a corner by Heroes goalkeeper Dhadho.

The home side pressure for an equaliser through Abdulraman Abdallah and Mohammed Ali bore no fruits, with SEAL looking pretty calm in their defense.

In 73rd minute, Murang'a Seal captain Kiplangat danced past Heroes last man Kevin Washe and with only the keeper to beat, blast the ball off target.

At 90th minute mark, Heroes winger Mohammed Ali wasted a glorious chance to equalise by firing wide after a sumptuous cross from Abdulraman Abdallah.