NSL: Kisumu Hot Stars and All Stars win to keep promotion dream alive

Kisumu Hot Stars's Byron Otieno (center) celebrates with his teammate Ezekiel Obat. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Newbies Kisumu Hot Stars and former KPL side Kisumu All Stars closed the gap on league leaders Kenya Police after winning their respective round 14 National Super League matches.

Kisumu Hot Stars, also known as Opuk, bounce back to winning ways after seeing off Soy United 1-0 on Sunday in a match played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Byron ‘Billy’ Otieno scored the only goal of the match to hand the former Division One side all crucial three points that saw them move joint fifth in the standings with rivals Kisumu All Stars and MCF.

On Monday, Kisumu All Stars defeated Mwatate FC 1-0 at Moi Stadium to move on 21 points as MCF defeated Gusii FC with the same scoreline.

FC Talanta moved to within three points shy of league leaders Kenya Police when they beat Nairobi Stima 3-1 in a Betika National Super League match played at the Ruaraka grounds.

Barrack Odhiambo struck a brace in the 22nd and 39th minute with Francis Kahiro also on target one minute past stoppage time. John Njoroge netted Nairobi Stima’s consolation goal sealing the final scores at 3-1.

Mt. Kenya United pulled the upset of the day following a 2-1 win over Coast Stima at Camp Toyoyo.

Victor Ochieng’s goal in the 7th minute gave Mt. Kenya an early lead, however, in the 39th minute, Clinton Ochieng equalized the scores, closing the first half at 1-1.

Kevin Ndugu let Mt.Kenya United once again take the lead in the 76th minute making the home team create an unbreakable barrier that guarded their win till the sound of the whistle, sealing the scores at 2-1.

Kenya Police are still atop the NSL standings with 29 points despite losing 1-0 to Muranga Seals followed by Talanta with 26 points.

Fortune Sacco are third with 22 points same as Kibera Black Stars followed by Opuk, MCF and Kisumu All Stars.

Mt Kenya United, Muranga Seals and Migori Youth close the bottom three places.