Leaders City Stars look to keep NSL stranglehold
It might still be far off to conclude the eventual Kenyan Premier League (KPL) newcomers for the next season but certainly the table in the Betika Super League is steadily taking shape.
Leaders Nairobi City Stars might be running away at the top with 46 points to their name but will be wary of an improving Vihiga Bullets Saturday afternoon at Camp Toyoyo.
The ‘slum boys’ beat former football giants Shabana 1-0 last weekend while Western based Bullets now in 11th position with 24 points whitewashed stuttering FC Talanta 3-0 at Bukhungu Stadium in the last fixture.
The highlight match of the week however is between two ambitious clubs who want a spot in the top tier next season. Impressive Bidco United currently holding second spot with 39 points host fifth placed Migori Youth at Thika Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The two clubs have arguably the youngest coaches in the division and have shown good momentum thus far.
They both also boast of young breed of exciting players and coach Anthony Akhulia believes this will be a stern test. “In football nowadays there is no such thing as home advantage.
Our opponents are a very good team with great organisation. We will have to be at our best and do our job right,” he said of the border team coached by Robert Ojienda which have 32 points.
Fourth-placed Nairobi Stima who have a game in hand will be at Camp Toyoyo against Kenya Police in a lunchtime fixture Saturday.
It is usually tight between the two but the powermen who have been out of action for three weeks feel they have the sharpness going into this duel.
“We know each other well enough and so there will be familiarity. However I know we have the ability to win so as to narrow the gap. It will be tight but the team is buzzing and raring to go,” said Evans Mafuta assistant coach of Nairobi Stima. On his part the law enforcers’ tactician Gabriel Mutinda whose side is 13th on the log wants his side to rise to the occasion.
-BARRY SILAH
