City Stars rule NSL but remain humble despite a majestic run

Despite opening up a six-point lead atop the National Super League table,  in- form leaders Nairobi City Stars are focused on staging a strong finish to the first leg of the 2019/20 season.

Simba wa Nairobi extended their unblemished record in the NSL after seeing off 18th placed St Joseph Youth 2-0 at the Hope Centre at the weekend.

They are the only unbeaten side in league with 17 rounds of matches played so far.

Club director Samson Otieno is happy his players overcame a slow start to win their match against St Joseph Nakuru over the weekend to stay on course for promotion into the Kenya Premier League at the end of the season.

“The game was good since we managed to play better in the second half despite starting slowly, ” he said: “I’m glad that we are unbeaten, but the gap between the second-placed team and us is six points meaning that we are not safe at all.”

With fixtures against Kibera Black Stars and Administration Police lined up before the season interval, Otieno says they aim to hit the 49- point mark to see off pressure from their closes rivals Nairobi Stima who are second on 37 points.

“At the moment our immediate focus is on winning our next two games against Kibera Black Stars and Administration Police then we will plan for the second leg next year.”

He says they are solely focused on securing the KPL berth with a record 94 points come end of the season.

“If we manage to finish the first leg with 49 points, then we will be within our overall target of 94 points at the end of the season, which should be a record achievement.”

He reserved special praise for his technical bench that has been at the heart of their notable impressive turn of form in the second half in many games they seem to start slowly.

“The coach and the technical team have been instrumental to the team’s impressive second-half display. They ensure that the players are in the right frame of mind all the time,” he added.

Up next for them is a typical league contender versus also runs fixture against struggling Administration Police at Camp Toyoyo on Sunday.