Nzoia still top, Shabana’s NSL future in doubt

Barely seven games into their National Super League (NSL) season former giants Shabana FC’s future in the second tier is in doubt after awarding Oserian FC a walkover over the weekend.

Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) dismissed their appeal for postponement of their weekend game against the hosts terming the plea unsatisfactory awarding Oserian the three points and a 2-0 victory.

Barry Otieno, FKF Communications and Public Relations Officer who spoke to Citizen Digital admitted receiving Shabana’s letter for deferring the match but maintained issues raised were not sufficient to stop a game from being played.

“The reason for missing a match should be something that has weight. If we say that matches won’t be played because of guys losing family members, then we shall fail as a federation,” Otieno remarked.

Shabana had written to FKF to reschedule the game on grounds that their Team Manager had lost his mum.

“We wrote a letter to FKF through Omwando, the Secretary General, requesting the deferment of the match,” the official, Stephen Kiama told Citizen Digital.

The Gusii based giants have had a tough season after FKF threw them out of the second-tier for awarding three successive walkovers but the Sports Disputes Tribunal ruled in their favour thereafter.

Last week, the team officials told of difficulty in meeting operational costs to honour their marathon start to their belated campaign that has seen them field twice in a week to catch-up.

Vihiga All Stars and Eastleigh Youth FC were axed from the FKF National Division Two by FKF last month after missing to honour three successive games each with Shabana in danger of being expelled unless they find a sponsor soon.

-Nzoia top-

Leaders Nzoia United maintained their slender advantage at the top of the NSL on 34 after beating KCB 2-1 while 10-men Nakumatt FC kept in touch one point adrift with a last-gasp similar victory over St. Joseph FC.

Geoffrey Kariuki and Edgar Nzano struck for Nzoia in the first half quarter of the game before KCB pulled one back two minutes after the break from the spot.

Ismail Dunga opened the scoring for Nakumatt seconds before the end of first half before his team mate David Naftal was shown his matching orders at the hour mark.

Hamisi Juma levelled score ten minutes to the end of game before Christopher Nyangweso struck in added time to clinch the points for the visitors.

Zoo Kericho remained third on 32 after a slim 1-0 win over struggling visitors Wazito FC with their top scorer, Mike Madoya netting his tenth of the season for the all decisive strike at Kericho Green Stadium.

In the tie of the weekend, Agro Chemicals (30) lost ground on the leaders after going down 1-0 to Kariobangi Sharks in Machakos where Newton Mugo scored a debatable 60th minute penalty for the win that saw the winners remain sixth on 28.

In other results Nakuru All Stars 1 Moyas FC 2, Ligi Ndogo 1 Police FC 4, Talanta FC 0 Vihiga United 0, Palos FC 0 Bidco United 0, Nairobi Stima 1 Modern Coast Rangers 0.

Report by Edward Mokuah and Denis Ohuru