Western Stima edge Bidco, move top of NSL standings

Former Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Western Stima moved to the top of the National Super League (NSL) standings with a hard-fought 1-0 win over visiting Bidco United in a top-of-the-table clash at Moi Stadium in Kisumu County on Saturday.

Dan Otieno was the hero, scoring the all-important goal on 15 minutes as Richard Makumbi’s side took their points tally to 17, three ahead of Bidco, who are now second.

At the Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi, Kennedy Owino, Mike Osundwa and Dennis Ng’ang’a scored a goal apiece to help Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) pip Golden Field Evangelism (GFE) 3-1. Zeka Wakoli scored GFE’s lone goal.

In the late kick off at the same venue, Administration Police recovered from their 2-0 loss to Bidco last weekend to whip 10-man Nakuru AllStars 4-2 in a six-goal thriller.

OTIENO'S OPENER

Hillary Otieno broke the deadlock five minutes into the match before Robert Jagero doubled their advantage in the 26th minute. AllStars’ Peter Thiong’o halved the deficit with perhaps goal of the week.

Moses Arita picked out Antony Ng’ang’a on the right flank who floated in a cross that Thiong’o, sandwiched between Police defenders in the box, controlled well before unleashing a bicycle kick to the far post.

Jagero made it 3-1 at the stroke of halftime.

The Ezekiel Akwana-led AllStars were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute following Jackson Oduor’s dismissal for a second bookable offence.

Former Thika United man Salim Mzee netted Police’s fourth goal after a brilliant solo run 10 minutes to time. Substitute Joseph Chege grabbed AllStars’ second in the dying moments.

“There’s a lot of work to be done in all departments. We committed careless mistakes that cost us and if we want to rake in positive results, that must be rectified,” a furious Akwana said after the match.

His opposite number Benlee Juma was pleased with his charges’ display. “The boys played to the instructions. We wanted early goals that helped us settle in the match,” he said.

“I wasn’t impressed with the last 20 minutes because we were shaky and invited pressure from the opponents,” he added.

Yesterday results

KCB 3-1 Golden Field Evangelism (GFE)

Administration Police 4-2 Nakuru AllStars

Western Stima 1-0 Bidco United

Today fixtures

Modern Coast Rangers v Talanta (Mbaraki Sports grounds 1pm)

Isibania v Coast Stima (Awendo Green Stadium 3pm)

Kenya Police v St. Joseph’s Youth (Karuturi grounds 3pm)

City Stars v Kibera Black Stars (Camp Toyoyo grounds 11am)