Ushuru out to cement top spot as NSL race tightens

With four rounds to go before curtains fall on the 2017 National Super League (NSL) season, the race to earn top flight promotion is growing ever tighter.

An outright leader is yet to emerge from a pack of five who are all in contention for the two automatic qualifying spots to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) with Vihiga United, Wazito FC, KCB FC, Ushuru FC and Nairobi Stima all vying.

Ushuru FC Head Coach Ken Kenyatta says mental strength will define the race over the next run of fixtures and has vowed to ensure his charges stay on course for a swift return to the KPL.

“We are in a marathon and the next phase is going to get tricky. We have to tactical and so we’re looking at one match at a time,” Kenyatta told Citizen Digital.

Fan Ngaira and Benson Amianda were on the score sheet for Ushuru during their midweek NSL fixture as they edged FC Talanta 2-0 for their 22nd win of the season.

Ushuru are ranked top on 72 points, two points clear of second-placed KCB (70) with Wazito (68) another two points adrift at third place.

Vihiga United, who were heavy favourites to clinch the second-tier title are placed fourth on 65 points and could draw level with Wazito should they win their game in hand.

“The pressure is high but we have to cope. The relegation fight is just fierce as the promotion race so there are no easy points right now,” Vihiga assistant coach Francis Xavier said.

Second-placed KCB kept the leaders in check when they eked out a similar result against Administration Police with Kelvin Nigele and a goal from Tedy Osok lifting the Bankers at the Camp Toyoyo Grounds.

They travel to Awendo on Saturday to tackle Isibania FC while Ushuru face former KPL side Nairobi City Stars at the Camp Toyoyo.

Vihiga will play hosts to bottom-placed MOSCA at the Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday as they seek to close in on Wazito.