NSL gets tough and tight as top three jostle for promotion slots

The National Super League (NSL) is carving itself as the country’s most competitive league, above the Kenya Premier League (KPL.

Twenty three rounds gone and only two points separate the top three sides – Wazito FC (50 points), Ushuru FC (48 points) and Nairobi Stima (48) as Kisumu All Stars come fourth on 46 points.

On the other end, the bottom three – Nairobi City Stars, Green Commandos and Kangemi All Stars–  are closely poised on 18, 18, 15 points respectively, an indicator that the basement quarter is a no comfort zone.

On the scoring chats, fourth placed Kisumu All Stars lead the way with 39 goals scored so far, Kenya Police who are fifth have bagged 38 goals, Wazito, Ushuru and Administration Police 37 and Nairobi Stima 35.

Former Tusker FC skipper Llyod Wahome who recently joined National Super League leaders Wazito FC expressing his surprise in his first match in the second tier, which came in this month’s 3-2 last gasp win over relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars.

“The National Super League is not like what I was used to at Tusker. Here, it is a high pressure and speedy game, slightly more than the Kenya Premier League. But I am glad I have joined a good team (Wazito FC) that takes the challenge head on,” the 33-year old defender said.

Nairobi City Stars chairman Peter Jabuya who has painfully overseen his side deteriorate in the NSL since being relegated from the KPL in 2016, says the second tier division is no joke.

“Playing in the National Super League is not that easy. It is not like KPL. The teams in the NSL are totally focussed on getting the points. Entertaining football comes second. It is tough, the state of the pitches and the questionable officiating also add to that list,” noted Jabuya.

Harambee Stars having qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations finals since 2004, KPL champions Gor Mahia into the quarter finals of the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in history and Nationwide side Bungoma Super Stars knocking both Sofapaka FC and AFC Leopards out of the Shield Cup on post-match penalties as SS Assad bundled out Ulinzi Stars in a similar manner, a fortnight ago, it is definite that Kenyan football is getting revitalized day by day.

It promises to be a good watch as the NSL top three ranking sides Wazito, Ushuru and Nairobi Stima mount a spirited campaign to have them in the elite division next season.