Zoo FC return to action, face Kisumu All Stars in NSL season opener
Former Premier League side Zoo FC will feature in the second tier Betika National Super League this season and not the Division One League as earlier communicated.
Zoo had been axed from the top tier league for alleged involvement in match fixing, a claim which they denied and appealed against the finding.
Yesterday, however, when the federation released the league fixtures they were pitted against another former Premier League side Kisumu All Stars in the first match of the new season, to be played at their home turf, Kericho Green Stadium.
The new season will see three teams from the top tier league, return to the hyper competitive second tier league to take up the space left by the promoted trio of champions FC Talanta, Vihiga Bullets, and Kenya Police while three teams from the FKF Men’s Division One League will join the league to take up positions vacated by the relegated trio of Soy United, Kisumu Hot Stars, and Nairobi Stima.
Zoo Kericho FC and Western Stima were relegated at the end of the regular season for finishing in the bottom two positions of the premier league in the 2020/2021 season while Vihiga United were condemned to the second tier league after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Kenya Police FC side in the promotion/relegation playoff encounter.
Already Zoo FC has promised their fans an exciting show in the BNSL this season as they plot a quick return to the FKF Premier League.
“We are back in business. We have our fresh start from the BNSL on 6th November 2021. We have learned our lessons, This is our opportunity for a reset,” Zoo said in a club statement.
Western Stima who have, however, changed their name to Kisumu United FC will launch their BNSL campaign away to former Mt. Kenya United side, now Dandora Love at Camp Toyoyo Grounds, Nairobi while Vihiga United will be at home, Mumias Sports Complex to welcome tricky Migori Youth FC.
Newly promoted side Naivas FC will be welcomed to the league by tough MCF at Ruaraka Grounds, Nairobi, while Fortune Sacco who after the promotion of FC Talanta, Vihiga Bullets, and Kenya Police, stand as the best-performed team last season, will be out to seal promotion this season when they start their campaign this season with a home match against Mwatate United at Wang’uru Stadium in Mwea.
