Sharks force Nzoia to wait a little longer for NSL glory

Log leaders Nzoia United have to wait a bit longer before they are crowned the 2016 National Super League (NSL) champions after Kariobangi Sharks won their game in hand in a pulsating 3-2 victory on the road at Agro Chemicals on Wednesday.

In the other midweek encounter in the second tier, KCB completed a 2-1 victory over Nakuru All Stars at Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi to keep their hopes of a swift return to the top flight alive.

Following the announcement from world governing body FIFA that the 2017 Kenyan Premier League should have 18 teams also on Wednesday, NSL sides will be scrambling to at least finish among the top four to have a chance of playing in the top flight next season.

Sharks victory elevated them to second on 68 points, 14 adrift of runaway leaders Nzoia who will confirm their promotion with at least a point over the weekend with five games left for the season to wrap.

Mathematically the William Kanu Muluya side can overhaul the leaders at the top should they win all their remaining matches and Nzoia fail to pick a point although that is unlikely.

Agro opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Maxwell Onyango before an Ibrahim Kitawi second half double in the 49th and 85th seemed to have turned around the result.

However, a dramatic frenetic finish to the encounter saw Paul Kamau net for 3-1 to the visitors in the final minute of regulation time before Boniface Omondi struck for Agro in minutes added on for 32.

Defeat left Agro stuck in ninth on 45 to end their hopes of returning to the KPL for another year.

At Camp Toyoyo, KCB leapfrogged Vihiga United (60) to fifth and within two points of fourth-placed Nakumatt FC (65) after sustaining their late season momentum with a hard-earned victory over All Stars.

Michael Osido put the Bankers ahead with quarter of an hour gone in the contest before Brian Yator hauled the sides level in the 40th.

A brilliant free-kick from Dennis Nganga in the 83rd sealed the match for Leonard Saleh’s side as they seek a swift return to the KPL after being relegated last year.

All Stars coach Nick Yakhama cried foul of poor officiating but congratulated KCB for their win and said they are now focusing on their game against third placed Zoo Kericho over the weekend.

The Bankers missed the service of their top scorer Job Omuse who is out because of an injury.

Nzoia should have little trouble in being crowned champions over the weekend when they take on 18th-placed St. Joseph’s FC (25) as Nakumatt take on Agro.

Sharks will be in Naivasha to take on Oserian as the battle to ascend to the top flight heads down to the wire.