Kisumu All Stars and Nairobi City Stars share spoils as race for premier league promotion heats up

Kisumu All Stars players celebrate after Ian Motanda equalized for the host during the mid-week National Super League (NSL) match played at Moi Stadium on Wednesday [Courtesy]

Kisumu All Stars were held in a 1-1 draw by Nairobi City Stars in a tight mid-week National Super League (NSL) match played on Wednesday at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Frank Oduor's charges headed into the game four points behind leader Wazito and victory over City Stars would have increased their chances of going second above Ushuru who clash later with the league leaders.

However, the host were forced to sweat for the draw after the visitors went ahead through Peter Mwangi in the first half before the Ian Motanda's second half header restored parity.

Blue Eagles coah Oduor said after the match that he was satisfied with the performance of his team and rued missed chances in the match.

"The boy's played very well in the second half and we could have won by three to four goals but we didn't utilise our chances. We dominated play in the second half and we deserved all three points but we were unlucky," he said.

However, his City stars counterpart John Amboko blamed the referee for being biased during the match.

"The refereeing today was poor because every decision benefited the hosts. The red card was not clear. Playing with 10 men for almost half an hour is not easy and the Football Kenya Federation should look into the conduct of referees," Amboko said.

City Stars was reduced to 10 men afterPeter Wainaina was shown a red card in the second half.

The draw means Kisumu All Stars are still fourth in the log with 47 points as Amboko's team stayed 18 with 16 points.