Talanta maintain top spot as Silibwet go shopping

Danny OgegaChief NSL writer

Football Club Talanta made the most of Kenya Police’s slump against Kisumu Hot Stars to surge to the helm of the National Super League (NSL) after overcoming a resilient Mully Children’s Family (MCF) by a 1-0 margin on Sunday.

The Ruaraka stadium-based side lead the league standing courtesy of a superior goal difference against second-placed Kenya Police who have also garnered 19 points after nine matches.

The latter failed to hold on to their league lead after settling for a 1-1 stalemate against newcomers Kisumu Hot Stars.

Elsewhere 11th placed Silibwet Leons head coach Evans Mafuta says he will be active in the market to reinforce across all departments in a bid to go higher on the log.

Mafuta who cut a frustrated figure after seeing his charges fail to produce a spark against giants Shabana on Sunday in a 0-0 draw at Bomet stadium says his charges must improve or fall into a relegation dogfight.

“I was particularly impressed with the way we defended because we managed to keep them at bay given that they are on a six-match unbeaten streak.

“We play in a very intense league in terms of competition. Thus, we must reinforce or things could go south quickly,” he asserted.

He however maintained that it’s their ability to hold their own against elite sides that will keep them pushing for a higher finish in the league this season.

“If you look at the way we played today you can appreciate the way we maintained our discipline against a very good side and that’s all that matters.

“The only disappointment is that we failed to capitalize on the few chances that we got. That means we will be active in the market to snap up players that can beef our attacking quarter.”

Speaking to Citizen Digital after seeing his team’s scoring spree come to a grinding halt against a resilient side, Shabana team manager Elijah Sani insisted that the team is on a ‘good trajectory’, sitting fifth on the log four points adrift of the joint league leaders Talanta and Kenya Police.

“I always tell the boys that if we can’t score we should avoid conceding at all and that means and I’m happy they managed to achieve that.

“A point is better than a loss. This draw will give us food for thought ahead of our next opponents Kenya Police in what we believe is our biggest game of the season.”

His sentiments were mirrored by skipper Brian Magare who attributed Sunday’s draw to ‘tough luck’.

“We gave our all and it’s a shame we could not convert our clear-cut chance in the first half as we could have easily won it.

We have to move our focus quickly to our next game which is a must-win because we will be playing at home.

The glamor boys will gun for their first scalp against Police on Saturday at the Gusii Stadium in what is billed to be the game of the weekend.

Tags:

Talanta Evans Mafuta Silibwet Leons

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