PROMOTION BATTLE DOWN TO THE WIRE: Sharks, Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt hope to join Nzoia United in KPL

GOTV SHIELD 2016 Palos FC's Moven Otinya, left, and Ibrahim Kitavi of Kariobangi Sharks during GOTV Shield Cup Round Of 32 at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday , July 29, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

With three matches to go, the battle for promotion to next year’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has been narrowed down to three teams.

Nzoia Sugar have already qualified and the three teams Kariobangi Sharks, Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt will fight for the other remaining place.

There has been no agreement yet between KPL and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to expand the league and so far only two teams will be promoted.

The situation will, however, change once an agreement is reached to allow four teams to be promoted for an 18-team KPL next season, but so far no side can rest on their laurels.

Second-placed Kariobangi Sharks have 74 points after edging out Palos 1-0 at the weekend and lead the race for promotion.

The team has seen a major turn-around in the last three months. They have lost the second least number of matches after going down just three times.

To make it to the top league next season, Sharks will have to beat Bidco away, Ligi Ndogo at home and Nzoia Sugar away. But they could still be assured of second spot by winning their next two matches and pray that both Zoo Kericho and Nakumatt falter.

Will it be too late too little for Zoo Kericho again? The Kericho based side have been the unluckiest team in so far as earning promotion is concerned. They have qualified at least twice in the past only to be locked out by matters beyond their control.

Despite such setbacks they always come close and this season has been no different. They currently occupy third spot on the log after collecting 72 points.

Zoo have pending fixtures against Nairobi Stima at home, Bidco away and Talanta at home in their quest for promotion. Victory in all three matches coupled with Kariobangi Sharks faltering will guarantee them second placed and automatic promotion.

Third-placed Nakumatt have picked 71 points and have been the most disappointing team this season. The shoppers should have been guaranteed promotion by now but inconsistencies along the way has proven costly for them and have to hope that those ahead of them falter so they can be promoted.

At the beginning of the season, Nakumatt signed big name players who they were hoping would propel them to the top. They have fixtures against Shabana away, Modern Coast away and Wazito at home.

KCB who were demoted from the top league last season also have an outside chance of earning promotion but they have to win all their remaining matches and hope that the leading pack falters.

The bankers are placed fifth on the log with 69 points. Two away matches against Police and Mosca and a home fixture against Agro Chemicals may be standing between them and a quick return to the KPL.