Nakumatt take charge of NSL after Nzoia, Zoo draw

Nakumatt FC took charge of the National Super League (NSL) standings after thumping Ligi Ndogo 4-0 as challengers Nzoia United and Zoo Kericho shared an enthralling 2-2 in the weekend round-up of fixtures.

A brace from Joshua Oyoo and a goal each from Naftali Okombo and Bernard Meki gave the retailers the emphatic victory over Ligi Ndogo as they moved to 30 points from 13 games, a point ahead of charging Agro Chemicals who handed home team and relegated Kenyan Premier League side Nakuru All Stars a 3-1 hiding.

Philip Ambuso, Clinton Omollo and Maxwell Onyango hit the target for the former top-flight side while Fredrick Owira netted the consolation for Nakuru who slumped to 13th place on 14 to dim their hopes of a swift return to the KPL.

At Bungoma’s Sudi Stadium, 10-man Nzoia missed the chance to go top after being held to a 2-2 stalemate visitors Zoo Kericho in the clash of the weekend where Jonathan Lodaket received his marching orders on 49 minutes.

Top scorer, Masita Bitolwa salvaged a point for the former national champions with a 90th minute free-kick after Mike Madoya (penalty) and Nicholas Kipkurui in the 78th minute gave Zoo the lead.

John Omulama Khanda had given the home-side the lead in the fifth with Nzoia team manager, Evans Kadenge reserving praise for the Stars-bound Bitolwa for maintaining their unbeaten record intact at the death.

“The player is a fighter, a motivator, he scored for us the equalizer before travelling to Nairobi,” the official said with the club’s top scorer included in Harambee Stars provisional side.

“The players were not on their peak for this game. However, we have a game in hand with Shabana FC of which if we win we will be back to first position,” Kadenge added after his side surrendered the lead to Nakumatt to slip to third on 28, two above Zoo who are a place behind.

Nzoia welcome whipping boys Shabana to Sudi midweek where victory will take them a point above Nakumatt.

At Mumias Complex, Michael Misigo fired a hat-trick with further goals from Godfrey Airo and Amos Kigadi as Edward Manoah’s Vihiga United demolished Police FC 5-0.

“The victory was important considering the high competition in the league. Isabwa is a key player, he is progressing well, he needs to work hard and remain focused to exploit his full potential,” Vihiga boss, Edward Manoah told Citizen Digital.

Isabwa has scored in three of last four games for Vihiga and is the top scorer for the club with eight as the team moved up to fifth on 24.

Martin Wambora and Kwesi Dadzie gave Moyas FC only their second victory of the season to move up to 15th on 10 in a 2-0 win over basement side Shabana FC who lost for the fourth successive game with no goal scored in their belated start to the NSL.

Modern Coast moved above Ligi Ndogo to 17th after coming from behind to beat visiting Oserian FC 2-1 at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa for their first victory of the season.

Peter Kamau gave Oserian the lead in the 60th before George Owiti levelled in the 73rd paving way for Rashid Asuman emerged the hero by netting in stoppage time for the winner.

Kariobangi Sharks are tied with Vihiga on 24 in sixth after they humiliated St. Joseph FC 5-0 where Boniface Akenga grabbed a hat-trick with Ellie Asieche notching a brace.

Former KPL side KCB trail them by three points in the standings after beating Talanta FC 1-0 while Nelson Masagwe scored the only goal for Bidco FC to sink Wazito FC by the same score in a game played at Nairobi’s Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Jericho.

Hosts Nairobi Stima lost 2-3 in a five goal thriller to Palos FC in a clash played at Nairobi’s Ruaraka Grounds.

Report by Edward Mokuah

STANDINGS

P          W        D         L         GF       GA       GD      PTS

1 Nakumatt    13        9          3          1          24        7          17        30

2 Agro             13        9          2          2          23        9          14        29

3 Nzoia           12        8          4          0          22        7          15        28

4 Zoo              12        7          5          0          16        6          10        26

5 Vihiga          13        6          6          1          23        8          15        24

6 Sharks         13        7          3          3          23        14        9          24

7 KCB             13        6          3          4          13        13        0          21

8 Palos FC     12        5          5          2          15        10        5          20

9 Bidco           13        5          4          4          13        10        3          19

10 Oserian     13        4          4          5          11        12        -1         16

11 Wazito FC 13       5          1          7          11        17        -6         16

12 N. Stima    12        4          3          5          13        14        -1         15

13 Nakuru      13        4          2          7          12        19        -7         14

14 Police FC  12        3          2          7          16        24        -8         11

15 Moyas FC 13        2          4          7          11        22        -11      10

16 St Joseph 12        1          6          5          9          21        -12      9

17 Modern     12        14        7          6          1          6          -10      7

18 L. Ndogo  12        0          5          7          10        23        -13      5

19 FC Talanta12       0          4          8          8          18        -10      4

20 Shabana   4          0          0          4          0          9          -9         0