Nzoia United knock on KPLs door as Zoo stumble in NSL

Irrepressible Nzoia United are a win away from ascertaining their elevation to the 2017 Kenyan Premier League after bouncing back from a first defeat of the season to open a yawning 16-point lead at the top of the National Super League (NSL) over the weekend.

Second-placed Zoo Kericho spurned the chance to pull clear from their closest challengers when they were pegged back by Nakumatt FC in the tie of the round as Kariobangi Sharks also boosted their promotion hopes by pushing fallen giants Shabana FC closer to the relegation trap door.

While the promotion/relegation criteria from the KPL remains a matter of intense debate between the top flight management company and Football Kenya Federation, Nzoia put themselves in pole position by beating Palos FC 2-1 in Bungoma.

Still reeling from a first defeat of the season by Nakuru All Stars midweek, the NSL log leaders fell behind to a Morven Otinya goal in the 24th minute but roused themselves to level the match in the 36th through Patrick Oluomo.

Lethal striker and division top scorer Masita Bitolwa Masuta then decided the contest three minutes to push their tally to 82 points from 33 games with their remarkable 25th victory of the season.

Herman Oswekha’s Zoo slumped to a 1-2 reverse to the retailers to remain second on 66.

Timonah Wanyonyi and Jacob Opera struck in the 44th and 48th minutes to put Nakumatt 2-0 up before a Mike Madoya spot-kick in the 86th halved the deficit as the winners moved to within a point of Zoo.

Sharks eased past Shabana 3-0 with goals from Patillah Omoto- 5’, Ibrahim Kitawi- 45’ and Matthew Odongo- 46’ to remain third on 65 above Nakumatt on goal difference although they have a game in hand having played 32.

They are the only team who can overhaul Nzoia should they win all their remaining six games and the leaders lose all their last five.

It set up a titanic battle to finish second as the season winds down where should the current promotion/relegation criteria remain in place; the runner-ups will join the league winners in the KPL.

“The league is heading to very tough end and every team is now strong. Our strategy is to take every match as it comes and after finishing with Shabana the focus turns to  Agro Chemicals and we are preparing for that,” Sharks Team Manager, Stephen Otieno told Citizen Digital.

Otieno believes that if they register a win against ninth-placed Agro (45) on Wednesday when they play their extra match, they will be in a good position to take the second slot.

“We have already played with all the teams ahead of us except Nzoia and that will be the last match that may not be very important in the promotion and the relegation race,” he added.

Shabana (13) have a 12-point deficit to overturn and hope 18th-placed St. Joseph FC (25) and the side directly above them Ligi Ndogo (21) pick no further points in the remaining stretch of the campaign to escape the ignominy of relegation.

Results

Sunday

Moyas 1-3   Police FC

Nzoia United 2 -1 Palos FC

Nakumatt 2-1   Zoo Kericho

Saturday

Nakuru All Stars 0 -0 Oserian

Kariobangi Sharks 3-0 Shabana

Wazito FC   4 -2 Agrochemicals

KCB 2 -1   Ligi Ndogo

Vihiga United 1-0 Bidco United

Nairobi Stima 2 – 0 St Joseph FC