Promoted sides up for battle as NSL action resumes

Promoted sides Administration Police, Isibania, GFE 105 and the Kibera Black Stars will test their National Super League (NSL) mettle against when the 2017 league kicks off this weekend.

Bidco United who finished tenth during last season’s campaign welcome newbies Police at the Camp Toyoyo Stadium on Saturday after renovations at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos – its initial venue – necessitated the shift.

Relegated Kenyan Premier League (KPL) sides Ushuru FC and Nairobi City Stars will be hoping to launch their fight back to the top flight with wins in their respective fixtures. City Stars have a long trip to the Mbaraki Stadium, Mombasa, where they tackle Modern Coast Rangers.

Last season, Nzoia United were the runaway leaders, losing only two of their 38 league matches en route to clinching the title and as clubs ready their squads for the new campaign, it remains to be seen whether such dominance will be witnessed over again.

Bidco United Secretary Geoffrey Misango said the club’s age group has been trimmed to between 21 and 23 with the hope their energy can steer them on to a top four finish.

“So far so good we are well equipped however we had a strenuous season last year but now it’s a new beginning now and we are set for our first match tomorrow.

We had a crop of older players last year but we had to release them and the average team is now smaller and now these young guys have a lot of energy and vigor to steer our campaign,” Misango said.

The league will start without two sides as Muhoroni Youth, Sofapaka FC, KCB and Vihiga United await the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) verdict over which pair drops to the second-tier.