Western Stima back to SPL, KCB on course for promotion
Football
By
Rodgers Eshitemi
| Sep 29, 2018
Shikanda eyes comeback as Nairobi Stima face AP
Western Stima back to SPL, KCB on course for promotion
Ushuru's promotion hopes dealt a major blow after draw with the Saints.
Western Stima have returned to the SportPesa Premier League after beating a stubborn Coast Stima 1-0, in yesterday's National Super League match at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.
Ugandan import Junior Mukisa's last gasp stunning free kick at the edge of the box is all that the Paul Ogai's men (76 points) needed to seal an instant and automatic promotion to SPL with two games to spare.
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Kenya Commercial Bank (69) also remained firmly on course for a return to topflight football with a 2-0 win over Green Commandos in the second double header tie at Camp Toyoyo Grounds.
Former Tusker and Nairobi City Stars left-back Dennis Ng'ang'a put the bankers in the driving seat with a 20th minute deflected free kick before Kevin Owino doubled the lead on the hour mark.
"That's a very vital win for us. But it is not yet celebration time. We still have three games to go. We will continue pushing until the final game," a jubilant KCB coach Elvis Ayany told Standard Sports.
While the power men made a come back to the topflight football barely a year after being relegated, fourth placed Ushuru's (62) hopes for SPL promotion suffered a setback after being held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by visiting St. Joseph at Camp Toyoyo Grounds.
The taxmen, who went into the match needing a win to keep their promotion play-offs a live, took an early second minute lead through Bill Oporia's effort only for Kevin Taabu to cancel it out on the hour mark.
The result left coach Ken Kenyatta a disappointed man as he rued his side's missed chances. "There is nothing I can do, that's the result we got today (Friday). We created many chances more so in the first half but squandered them. And when you have such chances in a game of football, the best thing you should do is minimize the mistakes," said Kenyatta.
"We were punished out of our own mistakes. I had high hopes coming into this game, but this draw has now limited our chances."
But Nairobi Stima coach Ibrahim Shikanda has urged his charges to bounce back to their winning ways as they face Administration Police at Camp Toyoyo today (11am). Third placed Stima (63) have gone three matches without winning.
"I know how my boys are feeling. They are all eager to make a statement and make a step into their lives," said Shikanda.
" Expectations are high but there is also pressure. This a chance to prove our worthiness. We have destiny in our own hands, but we leave everything to God."
Today's NSL matches
Kenya Police v Nairobi City Stars (Karuturi, 1 pm)
Migori Youth v Kibera Black Stars (Awendo, 3 pm)
Nakuru All-Stars v FC Talanta (Afraha, 11 am)
Administration Police v Nairobi Stima (Camp Toyoyo, 11 am)
Modern Coast Rangers v GFE 105 (Mbaraki Sports Club, 3 pm)
Kisumu All Stars v Kangemi All-Stars (Kisumu, 3 pm)
Tomorrow's SPL matches
Gor Mahia v Mathare United (Kisumu, 2pm)
Nzoia Sugar v Tusker (Kisumu, 4pm)
Posta Rangers v Sony Sugar (Ruaraka)
Sofapaka v Nakumatt (Narok)
Thika United v Zoo (Thika)
Ulinzi Stars v AFC Leopards (Mumias)
Wazito v Bandari (Camp Toyoyo, 4.15pm)
Vihiga United v Kariobangi Sharks (Mumias)
All matches kick off at 3pm unless stated