Nakumatt, Nzoia keep promotion push burning in NSL

National Super League (NSL) leaders Nakumatt FC maintained the pace in the race for promotion by sinking rivals Agro Chemicals 2-0 in the highlight of the weekend action as unbeaten Nzoia United kept up the pressure at the top by hammering St. Joseph’s FC 4-0 on Sunday.

The retailers lead the charge on 39 points after 17 games; one above the former two-time top flight champions Nzoia who have a match in hand ahead of Tuesday’s fixture featuring third placed Zoo Kericho (32) and Nakuru All Stars.

Agro lost further ground in fourth (31) after going down to Fred Ambani’s leaders who came to the clash having handed a first defeat to Zoo in their previous outing to underline their credentials.

Bottom side Shabana FC (three) take on Nairobi Stima on Wednesday seeking to close the gap with 18th place Talanta (10) who sit in the last position to avoid the drop to Division One.

Former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards winger, Timonah Wanyonyi who signed for Nakumatt from Tusker was on target for the front runners.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Nakumatt FC Secretary General Albert Wesonga said that they are happy with the immediate impact of their new blood.

“Wanyonyi has been so instrumental to the team and therefore, we can say we did a good signing. We have to maintain the top position but our main focus is to play in the KPL and with the kind of players we have, we are going to make it unless something untowards happens,” Wesonga stressed.

Nzoia ran rampant in the biggest victory of the weekend when Lawrence Ochieng gave them a 38th minute lead in Bungoma before Luke Namanda added a second six minutes later for a 2-0 half time lead.

Timothy Omwenga and Edgar Nzano sealed the rout in the 78th and 89th to maintain their unbeaten record.

Guelord Yema’s 28th minute strike was enough for Nairobi Stima to secure maximum points against Ligi Ndogo at Nairobi’s Ruaraka Grounds to leave the winners as one of the three teams on 22 at position 11.

Immediate former KPL side, KCB FC climbed to seventh (27) after inflicting Shabana their 10th defeat in 13 outings at Nairobi’s Safaricom Stadium.

Fifth place Kariobangi Sharks (30) failed to make ground on the promotion chasing pair after being restricted at home to a barren draw by tenth placed Naivasha-based Oserian FC (22).

Battling Kisumu’s Palos FC left Mumias Complex with a point in a 1-1 draw with Vihiga United who remain sixth on 29 to cool the home team’s charge up the log. The result left Palos in eighth, one point adrift.

Modern Coast Ranger’s recent resurgence was checked by a 2-1 home defeat to visiting Bidco United at Mombasa’s Mbaraki Stadium making it a barren weekend for coast based sides after KPL outfit Bandari FC lost 1-0 to Sony Sugar.

John Kangethe and Martin Mage gave Bidco a 2-0 advantage before Rashid Athumani Benjamin halved the deficit in the 84th but it was too little, too late. The Thika side climbed to ninth (26) as Rangers remained stuck in 16th (14).

Tags:

National Super League Nzoia United Nakumatt FC Timonah Wanyonyi

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