NSL: Top four race heats up after wins for Kisumu All Stars and Nairobi Stima

Kangemi All Stars' Bonventure Atse and Brian Otieno of Ushuru FC during NSL Match at Camp Toyoyo [Courtesy]

Ushuru annihilated Thika United with a dazzling 3-0 win to reclaim their spot at the top of the National Super League (NSL) with four clubs already angling to finish on a high as the 2018-19 campaign second leg intensifies.

Kisumu All Stars and Nairobi Stima also won their away matches as the race for the title is set to go down the wire, with Wazito also in the mix even after their game against Shabana was abandoned.

Only two points are separating fourth-placed All Stars and leader Ushuru, leaving the top four race open. Ushuru and Nairobi Stima both have 52 points, Wazito third with 51 points as the Blue Eagles close the top four with 50 points.

Evans Maliachi gave the taxmen a 22nd minute lead from the spot before Alex Sunga doubled their lead before the break to lead 2-0 with 45 minutes to play.

Patrick Macharia then sealed the victory for Ken Kenyatta’s side after adding a third goal from the spot in the 65th minute.

The win pushed Kenyatta’s side to the helm of the super league with 52 points, same as Nairobi Stima but with a greater goal difference.

Nairobi Stima also climbed above Wazito into second position, one ahead of the latter after an emphatic 3-1 victory over Fortune Sacco at Thika Stadium.

Patrick Asiku scored a brace and Daglas Mokaya added a third for the power men’s 14th win of the campaign.

Kisumu All Stars trimmed Ushuru’s lead to two points edging out Kangemi All-Stars 2-0 thanks to Seth Oyugi and John Oruko first half strikes that took them to 50 points.

Team coach Frank Oduor praised his charges for a perfect display in Nairobi saying winning away games will be key to their dreams of premier league promotion.

“We have been struggling a lot when we play away from Kisumu but this weekend we demonstrated that we can improve. For us to make it to the top league then we have to work harder in our away games,” Oduor said.

The loss condemns Kangemi to the bottom of the table with 13 points, three below Green Commandos who were held in a 2-2 stalemate by Administration Police at Bukhungu Stadium.

Kenya Police, however, denied Talanta a win after David Oluoch’s 70th-minute penalty denied Gilbert Selebwa an important victory at Karuturi Grounds.

Brian Juma had given the Gusii club a 13th-minute lead before Oluoch pulled the scores level before halftime.

Chris Owino made it 2-1 in the 64th minute before Oluoch ensured they share the spoils by a penalty six minutes later.

Police are now five points off the top four with 45 points, three ahead of Talanta.

Migori Youth lost 1-0 at home to Bidco United as Nairobi City Stars enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Coast Stima.

Modern Coast Rangers claimed an easy 2-0 walkover after St. Joseph’s Youth failed to honor their match as the game pitting Wazito and Shabana at Camp Toyoyo was abandoned due to fan trouble with Wazito leading 1-0.

NSL Results

Ushuru 3-0 Thika United (Camp Toyoyo)

Fortune Sacco 1-3 Nairobi Stima (Thika Stadium)

Kenya Police 2-2 FC Talanta (Karuturi Grounds)

Green Commandos 2-2 Administration Police (Bukhungu Stadium)

Migori Youth 0-1 Bidco United (Awendo Green Stadium)

Kibera Black Stars 0-1 Eldoret Youth (Hope Center)

Nairobi City Stars 2-1 Coast Stima (Camp Toyoyo)

Kangemi All-Stars 0-2 Kisumu All Stars (Camp Toyoyo)

Modern Coast Rangers 2-0 St. Joseph’s Youth (Walkover)

Wazito vs Shabana (Camp Toyoyo) Match was abandoned due to fan trouble