Nzoia out to wrap NSL title as Shabana stare at relegation

Nzoia United will be crowned National Super League (NSL) champions on Sunday if they get a result away to St. Joseph FC on Sunday to confirm their promotion to the Kenyan Premier League.

Only a stunning defeat over the log leaders by St. Joseph will postpone the imminent relegation of fallen giants Shabana FC by at least another week.

Rock-bottom Shabana who won their place in the NSL following a successful appeal against their expulsion welcome promotion-chasing KCB in a rescheduled fixture on Monday in Kericho with the air of inevitability hanging over the once glamour Gusii-based side who have done little to suggest a miraculous run to survive.

With the KPL set to be expanded to 18, five other teams from second-placed Kariobangi Sharks to Vihiga United in sixth are battling to finish among the top four.

Nzoia are on 82 points, 14 ahead of Sharks with Zoo Kericho (66), Nakumatt FC (65), KCB (63) and Vihiga (60) all seeking to join the leaders in the top flight next season.

On the other end, Shabana trail on 13 with Ligi Ndogo (21) and St, Joseph (25) directly above them in the 20-team table with their hopes of survival hanging by a thread and need other results to swing in their favour to complete a miraculous escape.

All eyes will be on Nzoia as they seek ultimate reward for a storming season where they have lost only once.

The former two-time national champions need at least a point to be confirmed champions having won four and lost one of their last five.

Team Chairman Yaptes Mokua is keeping their expectations in check until the game is over.

“Let’s wait until the 90 minutes are over. Where we are now, it is also a must rotate especially against those teams that are facing relegation and not battling for top four since we need to see what the other players in the squad can do.

“But I hope they will fight like the rest,” Mokua stated.

Shabana are staring at the grim reality of relegation unless St. Joseph who have lost four and won only once in their last five complete a shocking result over Nzoia.

The former top flight giants are reeling from a poor season following a gripping financial crisis that saw the players fail to train this week ahead of their clash with promotion chasing KCB that has been moved to Monday.

Team Manager Andrew Kanuli decried the exit of their key players to pursue greener pastures including veterans Demonde Selenga and Dennis Onkangi who have fled the club for non payment.

“This week, we have not trained since there is no money to pay the players. Most have left to look for jobs since they are mature with their families who need to be fed. We have been assisted by Dr. Paul Maiyeko who has been instrumental to keep us going.

“We are taking a match at a time, we have moved our game to Monday 10am since Kericho Stadium is not available, there is a function there. It is difficult and we are trying all we can,” Kanuli lamented.

Shabana have won only once, drawn once and lost three in five heading to their encounter against KCB who completed a narrow 2-1 win over Nakuru All Stars on Wednesday to keep their promotion push going.

In other key fixtures in the promotion run, Sharks visit former national champions Oserian in Naivasha as Zoo welcome All Stars with Nakumatt travelling to an out of sorts Agro who are smarting to a 3-2 loss midweek to the second-placed side.

KEY FORM STATS IN LAST 5 GAMES

Nzoia United

W- Vihiga 2-0

W- Modern Coast 2-1

W- Police 5-0

L- Nakuru All Stars 2-1

W- Palos 2-1

St. Joseph

L- Nairobi Stima 2-0

W- FC Talanta 2-1

L- Oserian 2-1

L- Mosca 1-0

L- Shabana 4-1

Shabana FC

W- St. Joseph 4-1

L- Palos 1-0

L- Bidco United 5-0

D- Agro Chemical 0-0

L- Sharks 3-0

FULL FIXTURES

Sunday

16:00 St Joseph FC v Nzoia United

17:00 Agrochemicals v Nakumatt

17:00 Bidco United v Modern Coast Rangers

17:00 FC Talanta v MOSCA FC

17:00 Ligi Ndogo v Nairobi Stima

17:00 Oserian v Kariobangi Sharks

17:00 Palos FC v Vihiga United

17:00 Zoo Kericho v Nakuru AllStars

18:15 Police FC v Wazito FC

Monday

10:00 Shabana FC v KCB FC

Tags:

National Super League KCB FC Shabana FC Kenyan Premier League Kariobangi Sharks football promotion relegation Nzoia United Andrew Kanuli St. Joseph FC Yaptes Mokua

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