Nakumatt take on KCB as battle for 2nd intensifies in NSL

With leaders Nzoia United all but assured of nailing a promotion place to the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL), the battle for who will finish behind them on the log heats up with a four-way battle for second shaping up in the National Super League.

The debate of whether two or four teams will be elevated to the top flight rages on as Football Kenya Federation and KPL dig in for a fight over the 16 or 18 team league format but for sides in the division below, clinching second will more or less guarantee the step up.

With most of the 20 NSL teams with eight fixtures to go Nzoia (76) have opened up a commanding 16-point lead at the top over Zoo Kericho (60) with Nakumatt FC (59), Kariobangi Sharks (56) and Vihiga United (54) who round off the top five in that order still in the running to finish second.

Sharks have a game in hand over their direct rivals and take on 16th placed Nakuru All Stars (29) on Sunday at home where victory on paper is on the cards to maintain their hopes of playing in the KPL.

Having been Nzoia’s bridesmaid for most part of the second leg, draws have taken the wheels off Nakumatt’s charge as they prepare to take on sixth placed KCB (51) who harbour late ambitions to return to the top flight after dropping last season.

This is the headline fixture of the weekend NSL action with Zoo expected to make short work of second from bottom Ligi Ndogo (21) at their Kericho Green Stadium fortress.

Vihiga on the other hand visit Wazito FC (35) who sit 12th in a tricky encounter against the side that blows hot and cold having rallied recently to hold Zoo to a fast-paced 2-2 draw at home.

For Nzoia, the only unbeaten side in the domestic leagues, their Saturday home clash against Police FC (32) should ideally bring them a step closer to realising their goal of going through the whole campaign without defeat.

Their record of 23 victories and seven draws thus far makes them outstanding favourites to arrest the intentions of the visiting cops who are languishing in 14th place having lost the firepower in the second half of the season.

In mid table, Nairobi Stima (40) who are tenth are optimistic of stuffing free-falling seventh placed Agro Chemicals (43) who have a game in hand to leap above them on the log.

“We are going to play this game and we have another match on Wednesday. We want to play as if it is our last match since we have given our all only that we have been unlucky.

“We have been doing so well but lost many games we should not have but we are going to give our best,” Vincent Onyango, the Stima chairman told Citizen Digital on Friday.

The club has not registered a win in their last four matches and are coming off a 2-1 reverse at Vihiga at the Mumias Sports Complex last week.

Agro secretary, Godfrey Oyoola on the other hand is backing their side to put their house in order after slipping from pushing for promotion to sit closer to mid table.

“We have planned well and we had a game in midweek that was abandoned we still have morale and in my view we shall win this game,” the official added.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

15:00 Wazito FC v Vihiga United

15:00 Bidco United v Shabana FC

16:00 Agro Chemicals v Nairobi Stima

16:00 Zoo Kericho v Ligi Ndogo

16:00 Modern Coast Rangers v Moyas FC

SUNDAY

17:00 Kariobangi Sharks v Nakuru All Stars

17:00 Nzoia United v Police FC

17:00 Nakumatt v KCB

17:00 St Josephs FC v Oserian

17:00 Palos FC v FC Talanta