Talanta face acid test against Black Stars in highlight of NSL weekend
It will be pay-back time as Kibera Black Stars engage Talanta in a top of the bill Betika National Super League (NSL) match at Ruaraka Stadium on Sunday.
There is certainly no love lost between the two as the table-topping Talanta will be angling to inflict revenge on Stars who beat them 1-0 in the first leg match that saw the two teams spurn several scoring chances.
Talanta are currently leading the standings with 37 points which means they have a reputation to protect against a team that lies in the fifth position after accumulating 32 points thus far.
With a measure of anxiety in the air and especially given that the two teams are of similar context of strength, Black Stars coach said in no uncertain terms that his charges who are eyeing promotion are ready to throw down the gauntlet against a red-hot title contender, adding that dropping points will be suicidal.
“The league has reached a point where dropping a single point could be detrimental to your chances of earning promotion and that is why I keep telling my players to work harder.
Obviously, facing a team like Talanta is not child’s play but I have this feeling that we can vanquish them if we put our act together,” said the affable tactician.
Last Wednesday, Black Stars did themselves a very big favour when they beat bottom placed Soy United 2-1 on Wednesday in a result which guarantees them either a slot at straight promotion or play-off.
As for Talanta, they lost 2-1 against Kisumu All-Stars in midweek action in a result that was advantageous to their closest challengers in second placed Kenya Police who are second after collecting 36 points.
But it’s apparent that Police would rather cross the bridge when they get there as they face a tough one in their hands when they face hosts Fortune Sacco at Kianyaga Stadium in Kirinyaga.
For the last couple of years, Fortune Sacco has been hard nut to crack at their ‘fortress’ and none other than Betking Kenya Premier League side Nairobi City Stars can bear witness as they heaved and puffed last weekend before running off 1-0 winners over the latter in a Betway Round 32 match.
Another entertaining match will see fourth placed Vihiga Bullets travel to Migori Stadium Monday to meet sixth placed Shabana.
