'Squeaky Bum Time' In NSL: SPL Promotion Race Reaches Boiling Point

NAIROBI, Kenya- It is ‘squeaky bum time’ in the race for promotion to the 2019 SportPesa Premier League after a stunning weekend in the second-tier that saw joint leaders, Western Stima FC and Ushuru FC lose, blowing the competition wide open.

The phrase coined by legendary English giants Manchester United FC manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, implies that time of the season where pressure almost reaches melting point with the stakes rising with every game has arrived.

Following the dramatic results, Western lead the way on a wafer thin goal-difference of one from Ushuru with both on 52 points after going down 0-1 and 1-2 to Bidco United FC and Nairobi Stima FC in that order.

Their slip-up handed third-placed KCB FC (50) who whipped basement side GFE 105 3-0 the chance to close on the top two SPL promotion slots in the FKF National Super League (NSL).

Nairobi (49) and Bidco (45) lead the chasing pack hoping to crash on the party in fourth and fifth.

Speaking to SportPesa News, coaches Ken Kenyatta (Ushuru), John Kamau (KCB) and Ibrahim Shikanda (Nairobi) admitted it was getting hot under the collar with any of the top four teams capable of securing the golden automatic ticket to the SPL.

“The league looks tough right now because everyone in the top four is under pressure,” Ushuru boss Kenyatta stated.

However, he denied he was feeling the heat after surrendering the initiative at the top of the log following a draw and defeat in his last two NSL outings.

“I don’t think I am under any pressure anyway because prior to the Sunday loss we had a 19 game unbeaten run but in football there are always good and bad days and this was one of those days,” the former SPL side AFC Leopards SC keeper charged.

Ushuru failed to leapfrog Western to pole position after going down 1-2 to Nairobi despite putting their noses ahead through Barrack Odhiambo from the penalty spot in the first half.

The power men grabbed the equalizer through Washington Gichovi before Brian Musa netted the winner with seven minutes left on the clock.

Kenyatta further denied claims that fatigue was affecting his side that stormed from mid-table to the top after a stuttering start to the campaign, insisting they would draw lessons from their latest setback.

“Losing helps plan better for the future because I believe the best way of learning is through mistakes,” the Ushuru head coach underlined.

Kenyatta and the taxmen will be sweating over blowing another golden opportunity for promotion after missing a ticket to the SPL last year when they lost on the last day in the second tier to finish third.

This saw them become the first second-tier team to play in the NSL/SPL promotion play-off against Thika United FC that they eventually lost 1-2 on aggregate over two legs to force them into a third straight season in the lower division having been relegated in 2015.

On the his part, KCB rival John Kamau believes his side has the momentum to clinch an automatic promotion place with the bankers having a game in hand over their rivals.

“The most important thing for us is that we have a group of players who are completely aware of the task at hand.

“We are now working to make sure the players feel motivated and mentally okay because no coach right now would like to add anything whether tactically or technical to his team,” the former Thika and national Under 20 head coach offered.

“I’m focusing on ensuring the squad remains focused leaving God to do the rest,” he added.

His side romped to the biggest win of the weekend against the free-falling GFE side with goals from Simon Abuko, Kennedy Owino and Kevin Migele completing a resounding 3-0 victory that was their 15th this term.

Touching distance

Kamau maintained there is all to play for with each promotion chasing team capable of lasting the distance.

In form Nairobi tactician Ibrahim Shikanda remains guarded despite his team emerging as a serious contender for the top-flight ticket in recent weeks.

“Right now is still early to predict which team in the top five will gain automatic qualification into the SPL.

“All the top teams have an equal chance of clinching the all-important slot but for us we want to take each game at a time,” Shikanda who played for SPL giants Tusker FC and Leopards noted.

The crucial win against Ushuru moved them to within touching distance of the leaders as they seek to storm to the SPL for the first time in their history.

“I’m impressed by the way my players are playing so far and with this kind of attitude we can put good performances for a better position in the future,” Shikanda hailed.

With the battle for the top remaining as tight as ever, the opposite end of the standings witnessed former top flight side, Nakuru AllStars FC (20) continue their resurgence by moving a point clear of the drop zone following hard fought 1-0 victory over Administration Police FC.

Their fifth victory of the season saw them rise to 16th having secured victory when John Otieno grabbed the all-important goal in only the third minute.

AllStars jumped over Green Commandoes (19) who are away to the East Africa Secondary School Games in Musanze, Rwanda with Isibania (19) who stemmed their recent run of defeats with a 1-1 draw at Coast Stima FC and GFE (14) propping the standings.

With GFE risking being cut off and earning a swift return to the third tier, AllStars, Commandoes and Isibania have a real fight on their hands to survive the second automatic relegation spot.

Saturday Results

Nakuru All-Stars 1-0 Administration Police (Afraha Stadium)

GFE 105 0-3 KCB (Sudi Stadium)

Bidco United 1-0 Western Stima (Thika Stadium)

Sunday Fixtures

Nairobi Stima vs Ushuru (Karuturi Grounds)

Coast Stima vs Isibania (Mbaraki Grounds

Kibera Black Stars vs Nairobi City Stars (Camp Toyoyo)

Updated Standings

1          Western Stima         26        15        7          4          41        19        22        52

2          Ushuru                     26        15        7          4          37        16        21        52

3          KCB                         25        15        5          5          35        16        19        50

4          Nairobi Stima           25        13        10        2          47        22        25        49

5          Bidco United            26        13        6          7          37        16        21        45

6          City Stars                  25        11        9          5          34        26        8          42

7          Kenya Police             23        9          8          6          29        24        5          35

8          M. C Rangers            25   9          8          8          30        30        0          35

9          Coast Stima               25        8          10        7          34        32        2          34

10        Kibera Black Stars    25        9          7          9          23        26        -3         34

11        Kisumu All Stars       25        8          9          8          19        22        -3         33

12        St Joseph Youth        25        7          11        7          35        28        7          32

13        Kangemi All Stars    25        9          4          12        31        36        -5         31

14        Adm Police               26        7          4          15        27        45        -18       25

15        FC Talanta                 24        5          9          10        22        34        -12       24

16        Nakuru All Stars       26        5          5          16        20        40        -20       20

17        G Commandoes        23        5          4          14        21        42        -21       19

18        Isibania                     25        4          7          14        18        41        -23       19

19        GFE 105                    26        2          8          16        13        38        -25       14