Nairobi Stima maintain lead as AP hold Ushuru

Nairobi Stima FC's Shela Mandela (left) and Francis Nambute of Posta Rangers FC during KPL playoffs at Kenyatta Stadium Machakos on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi Stima earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over APS Bomet at the Green Stadium in Kericho over the weekend to maintain their perfect start to the National Super League season.

Adam Said put the visitors ahead three minutes before the break and Douglas Makaya doubled the lead in the 55th minute before Philip Sasai pulled one back for the hosts in the 77th minute.

Victor Ochan made it 3-1 in favour of Stima three minutes from time and a Chris Wilunda stoppage-time goal could not stop Leonard Odipo’s men from collecting all three points.

This was a second consecutive win against a police side after previously seeing off Kenya Police and Stima head coach Leonard Odipo is confident his charges can continue with their impressive form for the rest of the season.

“Another electric performance from the boys away from home and all I can say is we can only get better. Our aim is to keep scoring more goals and maintain the tempo. I believe the team confidence has grown even stronger since day one,” Odipo told Standard Sports.

The power men beat Northern Wanderers 8-0 in their opening match of the season and Kenya Police 2-1 at Naivasha in their second outing and victory over Bomet ensures Stima remain at the top with nine points from three matches.

In Thika, Emmanuel Mogaka scored against his former side to inspire Bidco United to their third win of the season after edging out Talanta 1-0.

The win saw the Thika-based team join Stima at the top of the standings as Ushuru dropped to fourth after being held in a 1-1 stalemate by Administration Police.

Fredrick Kentile scored in the dying minutes to salvage a point against AP, who had taken the lead in the 76th minute through second-half substitute Humphrey Alemba.

At the coast, Migori Youth registered their first win of the season as they edged Coast Stima 2-1 at the Mbaraki Sports Club as Shabana also saw off Modern Coast Rangers 3-2 in a tightly contested match at Serani Grounds.

Former Kenya Premier League side Nairobi City Stars and Vihiga United played to a barren draw same as NSL newbies Muranga Seal and Vihiga Bullets.

Kenya Police, however, lost their third consecutive match after going down 1-0 to Fortune Sacco to join APS Bomet and Northern Wanderers, who lost 2-1 to Mount Kenya.