Nairobi Stima, Ushuru chase KPL playoff spot

What you need to know:

  • Leaders Western Stima host Talanta in Kisumu needing either a draw or a win to be crowned NSL champions.
  • Migori Youth and Golden Field Evangelism (GFE) 105 face-off in Awendo where the hosts need a draw to survive while the visitors must claim maximum points in order to avoid joining relegated Nakuru AllStars - who are away to Modern Coast Rangers.

Nairobi Stima and Ushuru head into the final round of the 2018 National Super League (NSL) fixtures eyeing a chance to fight for a slot in next season’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

Leaders Western Stima host Talanta in Kisumu needing to avoid defeat to be crowned NSL champions.

Elsewhere, Migori Youth and Golden Field Evangelism (GFE) 105 face-off in Awendo where the hosts need a draw to survive while the visitors must claim maximum points in order to avoid joining relegated Nakuru AllStars - who are away to Modern Coast Rangers.

Nairobi Stima, who host Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) at Camp Toyoyo grounds on Saturday afternoon, sit third on the 19-team log with 68 points similar to Ushuru who are fourth but with an inferior goal difference.

The Ken Kenyatta-coached Ushuru play Bidco United at Kenyatta Stadium knowing a win and a favour from KCB - who sealed promotion with a 2-0 win over Talanta last Sunday - will see them secure a play-off spot for the second straight year.

The team that finishes third in the standings will play Nakumatt, who finished 16th in the KPL, in a two-leg promotion/relegation playoff at the end of this month.

Ushuru has faced Bidco nine times winning six while three matches have ended in a draw.

“We are going for a positive result in this game, we know stakes are high for Ushuru but we’ve to put up a good show to protect Bidco’s image and also fight for winning allowances,” said Bidco coach Anthony Akhulia ,whose side lost 1-0 to Ushuru in the first leg in May.

“I’ve led the team in 14 games losing once to City Stars, I will not want a second defeat since I took over the team in mid-season,” added Akhulia who replaced Leonard Saleh.

Stima, 2-1 victors against Ruaraka neighbours KCB in the first leg, find themselves in a must-win situation to stand a chance of joining brothers Western Stima in the top flight.

Both teams have met five times with Stima winning thrice, KCB once with one match ending in a stalemate.

“We didn’t expect to find ourselves in this situation but we’ve prepared the boys mentally for the game knowing what’s at stake,” Stima assistant coach Fred Ambani said.

He added: “We will not underrate KCB who’ve booked their promotion slot because they also want to finish the season in style.”

FIXTURES

Kisumu AllStars v Kibera Black Stars (Moi Stadium, Kisumu, 11am)

Nairobi Stima v KCB (Camp Toyoyo grounds, 2pm)

Kenya Police v Coast Stima (Karuturi grounds, 2pm)

Kangemi AllStars v St. Joseph Youth (Ruaraka grounds, 2pm)

City Stars v Green Commandoes (Hope Centre, 2pm)

Ushuru v Bidco United (Kenyatta stadium, Machakos 2pm)

Western Stima v Talanta (Moi Stadium, Kisumu 2pm)

Migori Youth v GFE 105 (Awendo Green Stadium, 2pm)

Modern Coast Rangers v Nakuru AllStars (Mbaraki Sports Club, 2pm)