NSL: City Stars edge Bidco to open 10-point gap

Bidco FC's Eric Gichimu suplicate in their match against Talanta FC during NSL round 22 match at Camp Toyoyo on Sunday Jan 26, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi City Stars open a 10-point gap atop the National Super League after edging out second placed Bidco United 2-1 in a top of the table clash over the weekend.

Bidco were first to score through Eric Gichimu before City Stars responded through their captain Anthony Kimani for a 1-1 tie at the break. Ugandan International Jimmy Bageya would then seal all the three points for City Stars who bagged their 17th win of the campaign.

The win saw the former KPL side stretch their dominance in the league with 55 points, ten more than Bidco who remained second after the loss.

Speaking to the Standard Sports. City Stars captain Kimani said they are focused on maintaining their lead with their goal being to earn promotion back to KPL next season.

"It was a very tough match but am glad we did not give up even after going down early. The fighting spirit we showed is remarkable and our goal is to keep winning till we are sure of promotion to KPL," he said.

Nairobi Stima edged out Ushuru 2-0 to keep their promotion dream alive with the victory taking them to third in the standings with 42 points, three behind Bidco.

Vihiga United also tightened the grip on  the top three with a 2-0 victory over Muranga Seals to stay fourth with 39 points, three more than Coast Stima who thrashed Talanta 5-0 at Mbaraki Sports Club.

"We had a very big win against a good side in Talanta. I believe we can still qualify for the KPL and we are going to keep fighting till the end because six points between us and third placed Nairobi Stima is not that big," Stima coach Paul Ogai said.

Elsewhere, Kenya Police moved into the bottom half table after thrashing another former KPL side Mount Kenya United 4-0 as Kibera Black Stars moved out of the relegation zone after Administration Police to a barren draw.

Other matches saw APS Bomet and bottom placed St Joseph Youth register 1-1 and 2-2 draws against Fortune Sacco and Shabana respectively as  Modern Coast Rangers saw off Vihiga Bullets 2-0 at Serani Sports Club.

City Stars and Bidco remain on course for sealing an automatic KPL spot as Nairobi Stima, Vihiga United and Coast Stima fight for the third place playoff spot.