Vihiga travel to Zoo in highlight NSL clash of round 27

The National Super League (NSL) continues apace with third placed Vihiga United travelling to Zoo Kericho who trail them only on goal difference on Saturday topping the bill.

For the 27th time of asking this season, runaway leaders Nzoia United will put their unbeaten record on the line when they host the 11th placed Moyas FC as Nakumatt FC in second pack their bags for the trip to Nakuru with both matches on Sunday.

With the promotion race to the Kenyan Premier League far from being decided, Vihiga and Zoo- who are on 50- are out to start clawing back the yawning 14-point deficit with Nzoia at the summit of the log with Nakumatt (55) within their immediate sights.

Defeat for either side will all but bury their hopes of at least a top two finish that under the current criteria, guarantees them top flight football next season more so if the form book is followed and both Nzoia and Nakumatt silence their mid table opposition.

The Kericho Green Stadium has been an intimidating arena for any visiting team and Zoo are out to tap into their vociferous support to cage their visitors from Western who are on a strong unbeaten run of six.

“This game is very important to us. As much us we may be having some minor injuries, it will not deter us from a win. But in the unlikely event we lose, we still have 13 other matches. The boys are in form,” Lazarus Yogo the Zoo Team Manager asserted.

NSL top scorer, Zoo midfielder Mike Madoya will seek to add to his tally of 15 for the season to keep Nzoia striker, Masita Bitolwa Masuta (13) at bay in the race for the Golden Boot.

Fifth-placed Kariobangi Sharks who are the third side on 50 could benefit from shared spoils in Kericho and jump to third with victory over Modern Coast Rangers (27) who are way down the table in 14th.

In Nakuru, Nakumatt will seek to seal the double over All Stars (25) after blanking them 3-0 in the first leg while Nzoia could take a step closer to confirming their top flight status by dispatching Moyas (34) in their Kanduyi fortress.

On the other end of the spectrum the bottom two clash in Awendo when basement side Shabana FC who have only nine points from 26 take on Ligi Ndogo (15) in what is a relegation six-pointer.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

15:00 Shabana v Ligi Ndogo

16:00 Kariobangi Sharks v Modern Coast Rangers

16:00 Nairobi Stima v Bidco United

16:00 St Joseph FC v Wazito FC

16:00 Zoo Kericho v Vihiga United

SUNDAY

16:00 FC Talanta v Agro Chemicals

16:00 Nakuru All Stars v Nakumatt

16:00 Nzoia United v Moyas FC

16:00 Oserian v Police FC

16:00 Palos FC v KCB