Nakumatt, Ushuru SPL Promotion Play-Off Rescheduled

NAIROBI, Kenya- The SportPesa Premier League (SPL)/National Super League promotion play-off first leg match pitting Nakumatt FC against Ushuru FC has been rescheduled to Friday at Camp Toyoyo.

The highly anticipated fixture will kick-off at 3pm local-time (+3GMT), with both teams seeking a first leg advantage which will put them in pole position to feature in the top flight next season.

The second leg has been slated for Sunday at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani kicking off at the same time.

Nakumatt FC sealed their fate to battle it out in the promotion play-off after finishing in 16th with 37 points in the 2018 SPL, after managing only nine wins throughout the campaign under the tutelage of American-Egyptian coach Melis Medo.

Nakumatt lost 2-0 to newcomers Vihiga United FC on the final day of the season and a draw for Posta Rangers FC against Kakamega Homeboyz FC saved the mailmen from the nervy play-offs.

It was the first season in the SPL for the retailers who started on a wretched run following the financial woes that saw befell their title partners, supermarket chain Nakumatt before a Nairobi politician cum businessman, Francis Mureithi came to their rescue.

Plans to change the team's name to Mt. Kenya FC were shelved and the team enjoyed a mini revival and were set to hold on to their top flight status until running out of steam in the latter stages of the campaign to slip to 16th.

Shield final

On the other hand, their opponents Ushuru FC will be seeking to join NSL champions Western Stima FC and KCB FC in the 2019 SPL at the second time of asking.

Ushuru (69), under the tutelage of coach Ken Kenyatta, finished in third in the second tier having seen their lead slip towards the tail end of the season to miss out on automatic promotion.

The team that was relegated from the top flight on the last day of the 2016 top flight season booked their place for a second successive SPL/NSL end-season showdown on the final round of fixtures when they pipped Nairobi Stima FC (68) to third.

The taxmen failed to secure promotion to the SPL last season after losing the play-offs to Nicholas Muyoti's Thika United FC 1-2 on aggregate with the latter finishing bottom of the log to be demoted to the second tier.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) rescheduled the play-off following concerns over the important fixture in the domestic calendar clashing with the 2018 SportPesa Shield final that will be held on Saturday in Kasarani.

SPL sides Kariobangi Sharks FC who are seeking their first ever silverware will take on 2012 domestic cup winners Sofapaka FC for the right to represent Kenya in the 2019 CAF Confederations Cup. 

FKF had earlier announced the first leg of the play-off would precede the Shield final.