At long last, All Stars end Nzoia unbeaten NSL run

At long last, All Stars end Nzoia unbeaten NSL run

A second half brace capped by a goal at the death from Elvis Rupia propelled Nakuru All Stars to accomplish what no other side in the 2016 National Super League (NSL) had done before in 32 games and over 2,880 minutes of football- hand runaway leaders Nzoia United the bitter taste of defeat.

The longest-running unbeaten streak in all six of the country’s football divisions came to an end on Wednesday at Afraha Stadium when Rupia struck his double, notching his first in the 71st to level the contest before snapping the hopes of Nzoia of finishing the season without a loss in the most cruel of fashions when he claimed the winner in the 90th.

In typical fashion, the side that is only a hair-breath away from promotion to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) started like a house on fire and scored the opener within the opening two minutes through Patrick Olumo.

They were seemingly coasting to another victory when Rupia flipped the script and etched his name into the tale of the 2016 NSL when his intervention put the breaks into Nzoia’s procession towards playing top flight football.

While the result will reverberate through the second-tier, only a mother of all late season collapses can deny the former two-time national champions a place in the KPL next year since they still enjoy a hefty 13-point lead over Zoo Kericho who edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 away to Oserian FC in Naivasha.

Nakumatt FC snapped a five-game run without victory to send home side Moyas FC tumbling 2-0 but remain fourth behind Kariobangi Sharks who also recorded a similar victory on the road over Nairobi Stima on goal difference.

The NSL summit reads Nzoia 79 points, Zoo 66, Sharks 62 and Nakumatt 62 as the battle for elevation to the KPL enters the homestretch.

Fifth-placed Vihiga United (57) bounced back from shock defeat to thump hapless Modern Coast Rangers 3-0 to keep in touch.

At the Ruraka Stadium, Wanyonyi Timonah completed a first half brace to guide Nakumatt past 12th–placed Moyas to keep their promotion hopes alive.

The Retailers dominated proceedings right from the start and threatened to open the scoring after only six minutes through Bernard Meki but his shot whizzed off target. The striker wasted his second chance of the match moments later, blazing wide from a Peter Nzuki cross with only keeper Evans Adache to beat.

Wanyonyi popped up to break the deadlock with 20 minutes gone and Meki was the provider, setting up his teammate with a brilliant pass. The goal buoyed the visitors who kept firing at Moyas’ goal and they soon doubled their lead.

Wanyonyi rose the highest to slam home the second with a powerful header after the visitors had been awarded a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box.

The second half was a lackluster display with Nakumatt content with their two-goal lead and the hosts too blunt to pull one goal back.

-Additional reporting by Richard Obaga.

 

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National Super League football Nzoia United Nakuru All Stars

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