Nzoia host rocking KCB, Shabana visit Oserian

National Super League (NSL) basement side, Shabana FC hope it is sixth time lucky when they visit Oserian as table-topping Nzoia United seek to hold on to the slim advantage when they host KCB.

Shabana have lost all their previous five games since they were re-admitted to the second tier but club secretary Evans Kibagendi said that the team is out to revive the hopes of the anxious fans despite challenges they are facing.

“We understand our fans are disappointed by our poor performance but we are hopeful that things will work out. We are planning to do massive recruitment during this transfer window.

“We are also planning for a fundraising on July 1 where we intend to get some funds to get the team moving while we are trying to look for sponsors since you know the team has been surviving on people’s pockets. We spend about Ksh 60,000 daily and it has become tough to manage,” the official lamented.

“We pay for more than Ksh 30,000 for Awendo Green Stadium and Ksh 70,000 in Nairobi anytime we play so this becomes even more expensive for us since now our matches are scheduled for both Wednesday and Sunday,” Kibagendi added.

The former top-flight giants lost 3-2 to Talanta FC on Madaraka Day in their last outing with the team getting its first goals through Evans Obutu (11’) and Timothy Atanga (53’) but a Benson Amianda brace (9’, 71’) sandwiched between another from Peter Okaro (62’) denied them their first points of the season.

Talanta who are third from bottom, host high flying Vihiga United (fifth) who are four points off the top from Nzoia while former two-time league winners, Oserian are languishing in 11th on 17 points.

“The team is well prepared as usual and we are hoping that they will do their best in weekend game,” Vihiga team manager, Arthur Ominde said.

Nzoia who are top with 31, meet a seventh-placed KCB (21) side rocked by the suspension and ultimate sacking of their goal keeper, George Owino with the Bankers who were demoted from the Kenyan Premier League coming to the clash on the back of a 4-1 hiding away to Zoo Kericho.

“KCB Football Club has today terminated the services of goalkeeper George Owino with immediate effect. The club took the disciplinary action following the regrettable incident between Mr Owino and a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) referee during a National Super League match played against Zoo Kericho FC on Saturday, 28th May 2016 at Kericho Green Stadium.

“Following an internal investigation into the incident, KCB FC invoked the provisions of the contract with Mr. Owino that holds players liable for dismissal if they engage in activities that put the team in disgrace,” the Bankers said in a statement on Friday.

Fourth placed Zoo (29) host Wazito FC who are tenth in a tricky encounter with second-placed Nakumatt (30) visiting St. Joseph FC who are 17th in what is expected to sustain the tight squeeze at the summit of the second tier.

The clash of the round with witness sixth placed Kariobangi Sharks (25) entertain third placed Agro Chemicals (30) where the latter will be chasing the win that could see them top the standings after the weekend.

Report by Dennis Ohuru

Weekend schedule (all times EAT/+3GMT)

Saturday

14:00 Nakuru AllStars v Moyas FC

15:00 FC Talanta v Vihiga United

15:00 Ligi Ndogo v Police FC

15:00 Palos FC v Bidco United

16:15 St Joseph FC v Nakumatt FC

Sunday

13:00 Oserian v Shabana

15:00 Kariobangi Sharks v Agrochemicals

15:00 Nairobi Stima v Modern Coast Rangers

15:00 Nzoia United v KCB

15:00 Zoo Kericho v Wazito FC