NSL Preview: Zoo FC looking to widen lead gap

The National Super League (NSL) resumes on Saturday with Zoo FC topping the standings for the first time this season after West Sugar FC pulled out of the league with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) subsequently deducting three points from each of their initial opponents.

Run-away league leaders Vihiga United were on the receiving end of the three-point cut and have now been slid one place down, level with Agrochemicals on second 13 points each.

The Western-based club had previously played only one match prior to their inevitable exit, gifting opponents with walk-over points on five occasions, with the club’s Chief Executive Officer Fred Wakhisi conceding that financial constraints would not let them continue running the club’s operations effectively.

“The league was too expensive for us and there was no sign of a sponsorship deal coming our way,” Wakhisi regretted, speaking to Citizen Digital on the situation.

The weekend’s attention will be shifted to the match between new league leaders Zoo and Agrochemicals with the latter hosting the in-form Kericho-based side desperately seeking to climb up from the country’s second-tier league.

Modern Coast Rangers who are yet to receive a verdict from the competitions committees’ over their abandoned match against Nzoia United will face Ligi Ndogo who are enduring a poor run of form, losing two and drawn four of their six matches this season.

Nakumatt FC’s duo of Ishamel Dunga and Kelvin Omondi are expected to continue their hot goal-scoring spree when they lead the club’s attacking line against the visiting FC Talanta currently stuck at the competition’s drop zone.

Wazito FC will hope they can build on their win over Nakuru All Stars when they host ninth-placed Kariobangi Sharks as Wycliffe Wanje seeks to retain his place after starring in the 1-0 win.

Bidco FC will entertain Palos FC who have taken a two-week rest after West Kenya rolled a tie between the two during the weekend.

All matches kick off at 4:00pm local time.