Wazito scent title as promotion race down to the wire
What you need to know:
- Kisumu All Stars, Ushuru, Nairobi Stima in contention for big promotion
With just two games remaining, the race for promotion and battle against relegation in the National Super League (NSL) hosts up between on Wednesday and Sunday when the 20-team second tier officially concludes.
League leaders Wazito - on 75 points from 36 matches - take on FC Talanta at Camp Toyoyo in a 4:15pm kick off on Wednesday knowing that a win of any kind will see them remain at the top before hosting St Joseph Youth on Sunday in their final game of the season.
The Fred Ambani-coached Wazito’s lead was reduced at the weekend when they lost to arch-rivals Nairobi Stima who came from two goals down to win 5-3 on Saturday.
“We had some concentration issues in the second half giving our opponents room to score, but we have rectified the mistake as we look forward to play better in the remaining matches,” said the former Kenya international striker - who also played for AFC Leopards in the 90s.
Their closest challengers, Kisumu All Stars, have a favourable game on paper when they host Green Commandos (18th) who are also in desperate need of the three points as their fight to pull themselves out of the relegation zone continues.
The battle against the drop could take another dramatic turn after the matches involving all the relegation battlers — Commandos, Thika United (19th) and Kangemi All Stars (20th).
Third-placed Nairobi Stima host Shabana in Naivasha at Karuturi grounds where a defeat for the hosts will reduce their hopes of finishing in the top two. All Stars and Stima have amassed 74 points each. Ushuru (fourth) have a tricky home match against visiting Kangemi All Stars from 2pm.
Should Ken Kenyatta’s men win, as expected, while the current occupants of the top three - Wazito, Kisumu All Stars and Nairobi Stima drop points - the former SportPesa Premier League side will firmly remain in the hunt for promotion to the topflight league.
FIXTURES
Wednesday
Ushuru v Kangemi All Stars (Camp Toyoyo, 2pm); Nairobi Stima v Shabana (Karuturi grounds, 3pm); Eldoret Youth v Administration Police (Eldoret Show ground, 3pm); Coast Stima v Fortune Sacco (Mbaraki, 3pm)
St Joseph Youth v Kibera Black Stars (Afraha Stadium, 3pm); Bidco United v Thika United (Thika Stadium, 3pm); Kisumu All Stars v Green Commandos (Moi Stadium, 3pm)
City Stars v Migori Youth (Hope Centre, 3pm); Modern Coast Rangers v Kenya Police (Serani, 3pm); FC Talanta v Wazito (Camp Toyoyo, 4:15pm).
