Nakumatt in stern Vihiga United test as Nzoia welcome Agro

After failing to trim the six-point gap at the top with National Super League (NSL) leaders; Nzoia United on Wednesday, second-placed Nakumatt FC are under pressure to ward off when they travel to Vihiga United in fourth in the highlight fixture of the weekend.

Vihiga have made their Mumias Sports Complex backyard a fortress this season and the retailers who boast of a backbone of veteran Kenyan Premier League regulars during round 25 of the second-tier completion have all to do on Sunday to collect maximum points.

Unbeaten Nzoia who are on 58 points after forcing a 1-1 draw with Nakumatt are fast receding out of reach for the competition and return home to Kanduyi to host seventh placed Agro Chemicals whose promotion push has fallen off the wagon in recent weeks.

Zoo Kericho (47) in third are seeking to capitalise on any slip ups from Nakumatt in what is an easy visit to 17th-placed St. Joseph FC (19) on paper.

Vihiga’s Ben Ochieng is set to take up the place of captain George Odiwour who picked an injury in their last outing against basement side Shabana FC (9).

“His combination with Amos Kigadi who will come in for Dennis Lugalia who is out with injury too, shall help us carry the day as we take one game at a time,” Vihiga team manager, Arthur Ominde remarked.

Kariobangi Sharks who dropped to fifth (44) with a game in hand over the top four after missing the last round to feature in their GOtv Shield quarterfinal welcome Police FC (24) in 16th without their Harambee Stars duo of Patillah Omoto and Ovela Ochieng who are injured.

“The league is becoming tighter as the days goes by. Everyone is fighting for the top four positions to be guaranteed a slot in KPL next season. Our intention is to win weekend’s game and hope Vihiga loses to Nakumatt FC,” optimistic team manager, Stephen Ochieng remarked.

Eighth-placed Bidco United (37) who lost 1-0 to Moyas (28) in the first leg are banking on Michael Bodo and Paul Karuri to turn the tables on Kisco Kariuki’s boys on Saturday afternoon.

Troubled Shabana FC visit FC Talanta in 18th hoping to haul themselves from the bottom and complete a great escape to stay in the division.

Fixtures

 Saturday

FC Talanta  v Shabana

Nairobi Stima  v Wazito FC

Palos FC  v Nakuru AllStars

Bidco United  v Moyas FC

Oserian v Ligi Ndogo

Sunday

Vihiga United v Nakumatt

St Joseph FC v Zoo Kericho

Modern Coast Rangers v KCB

Nzoia United v Agrochemicals

Kariobangi v Sharks Police FC