Nakumatt, Ushuru fight for Premier League slot

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Ushuru will be out to make up for the time lost in the National Super League (NSL) promotion play-offs when they collide with Nakumatt in today’s (3pm) first leg encounter at Camp Toyoyo.

The two-legged match is expected to produce an intriguing battle to determine who joins NSL champions Western Stima and runners up Kenya Commercial Bank, in next year’s SportPesa Premier League. The new season kicks off on December 8.

Having failed to automatically be promoted back to the Premier League after finishing third in the NSL and losing 2-1 on aggregate to Thika United in last year’s promotion play-offs, the taxmen will be hoping to be lucky this time round.

Ken Kenyatta’s men had been touted as pre-season candidates for promotion, spending much of the season around the promotion places only to fall away when it mattered most mid-way through the second leg.

They secured the play-offs slot on the final day of the season when they drew 1-1 with Bidco United thanks to Paul Kiongera’s late strike, after rivals Nairobi Stima had been thrashed 4-1 by KCB.

But Ushuru are just now 180 minutes away from returning to the Premier League. The reverse tie is slated for October 28 at Kasarani Stadium.

Though Nakumatt looks stronger, Kiongera, who joined Ushuru in June believes the experience of last year’s play-offs will stand his team in good stead.

“It looks very easy on paper, but that’s a very special match for both teams. We know what Nakumatt are capable of. They have had a mixed season in the Premier League, but I think this is a second chance for us to prove our worth,” Kiongera told The Standard Sports.