Ogai raring for KPL return as rivals Nairobi Stima chase close

National Super League (NSL) leaders Western Stima head coach Paul Ogai believes their current sparkling form in the league will fire them to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) next season.

With the season finale drawing near, Stima are three points clear of closest challengers Nairobi Stima who however have a match in hand, the latter playing 26 times.

In the spirit of keeping the gap in what he calls final kick mood, Ogai is keen to bag his fifth win in six matches when they lock horns with Administration Police on Saturday.

According to Ogai, his charges cannot afford to drop points in the first of the NSL doubleheader slated for Saturday at the Camp Toyoyo grounds.

“So far so good and I’m optimistic we are going to return to KPL because my players are not leaving anything to chance. We want to win hoping our closest opponents drop points and the gap will be a motivation to us,” the former Palos FC tactician told Citizen Digital ahead of Saturday’s assignment.

Ogai who replaced Richard Makumbi as the head coach last month, has steered Stima to the top of the log with 55 points overseeing four wins and just a loss against Bidco United since taking over.

Meanwhile, second placed Nairobi Stima will be hoping bridge the gap when they host Kangemi All-Stars at Karuturi grounds in another Saturday fixture.

Middle placed FC Talanta will also be up against struggling Isibania on Saturday at the same grounds, fresh from a 2-0 humbling of Ushuru in their last match.

The former downed struggling Isibania 3-0 last weekend, the latter going down 2-1 against sixth placed Nairobi City Stars. Stima have played 26 matches with 52 points.

Elsewhere, after unsuccessful campaign in recently concluded East Africa Secondary schools games in Rwanda, Kakamega High resumes to push their remain in the 19-team league at the end of the season .

The recently crowned national champions in school games is scheduled to square it against middle placed St. Joseph’s Youth at the Afraha Satdium on Saturday.

The Green Commandos who have four games in hand following their school games assignment lie 17th with 19 points jointly with 18th placed Isibania, who occupy the relegation places alongside bottom placed GFE 105.

Summarised NSL weekend fixtures

Saturday

Nakuru All-Stars vs KCB (Afraha Stadium, 10 am)

St. Joseph’s Youth vs Green Commandos (Afraha Stadium, 12 pm)

Administration Police vs Western Stima (Camp Toyoyo, 2 pm)

Talanta vs Isibania (Camp Toyoyo, 4.15 pm)

Bidco United vs Kenya Police (Thika Stadium, 3 pm)

Nairobi Stima vs Kangemi All-Stars (Karuturi Grounds, 3 pm)

GFE 105 vs Nairobi City Stars (Sudi Stadium, 3 pm)

Sunday

Kisumu All Stars vs Modern Coast Rangers (Moi Stadium, 12 pm)

Coast Stima vs Kibera Black Stars (Mbaraki Grounds, 3 pm)