Western Stima Seal NSL Title, Ushuru To Face Nakumatt In Play-Off

KISUMU, Kenya- A dramatic final day in the second tier National Super League (NSL) on Saturday saw Western Stima FC crown their promotion by lifting the title as Migori Youth FC survived relegation to the third division by a whisker.

Western (80) who punched an instant return to the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) will be joined in the top flight by KCB FC who finished second, two points adrift while Ushuru FC (69) who finished third bagging the play-off spot for the second successive season.

At the Moi Stadium, Kisumu Paul Ogai’s side wrapped the NSL title following a nervy 3-2 victory over hard-fighting over FC Talanta (42) who ended 12th on the log. 

Maurice Dukuly gave the NSL Champions a 20th-minute lead before Emmanuel Mogaka hauled the sides level moments from the breather.

On resumption, Western who needed victory to be sure of the crown, wasted little time in going back in front when Laban Gambareko made it 2-1 in the 47th.

Seven minutes later, it was 3-1 when David Ojuang hit the target but Western endured a nervous end to the contest when Talanta notched their second through Job Tinyo on the hour.

The home side however, held on to secure the result as Western celebrated returning to the SPL after only a season in the second division following their relegation at the end of the 2017 season.

KCB FC who have had a storming end to the season thumped Nairobi Stima FC (68) 4-1 at Camp Toyoyo Grounds in Nairobi on the final day to break the hearts of the latter who were eying the SPL/NSL place as they finished fourth.

Michael Osundwa (22'), Kelvin Otieno (30'), former top flight top scorer Jacob Keli (40') and Samuel Semo (82') netted for Elvis Ayany's bankers with Nairobi scoring their consolation through Patrick Ndwiga (70').

Resounding effort

The resounding defeat of the power men opened the door for former log leaders, Ushuru to sneak into the play-off against the 16th finishers in the NSL with their nerve-shredding 1-1 with Bidco United FC (62) who rounded off the top five at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Ken Kenyatta's taxmen were given a huge dent to their ambitions when Lwamba Bebeto put Bidco ahead in the 27th before Bill Oporia hit back for Ushuru in the 80th for the result that prevented their promising season when they looked odds on favourites for promotion from total collapse.

Ushuru lost the maiden two-legged SPL/NSL play-off 2-1 on aggregate and the well-heeled outfit that was relegated from the top tier in 2016 will be hoping to avoid a repeat when they take on the retailers.

The play-off to determine the last team in the 2019 SPL which starts in December will be held on October 21 and 28.

Hosts Migori Youth FC (26) survived relegation by a whisker following an ill-tempered 1-1 draw with GFE 105 FC (25) at Awendo Green Stadium.

Eldoret based GFE 105 who led in most part of the game, have now been relegated to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division One League together with basement club Nakuru AllStars FC (21).

The game was stopped in the 75th when the referee was allegedly accosted by Migori fans before action resumed when uneasy calm was restored.

Wazito FC (31) and Thika United FC (23) will play NSL football next season after being axed from the SPL while Fortune Sacco (51) who topped Zone A and Eldoret Youth FC who topped Zone B in Division One earned promotion to the second-tier.

NSL final day results

Modern Coast Rangers vs Nakuru All Stars 2 – 0 Mbaraki Sports Club

Migori Youth vs GFE 105 1 – 1 Awendo Green Stadium

Western Stima vs FC Talanta 3 – 2 Moi Stadium Kisumu

Ushuru vs Bidco United 1 – 1 Machakos Stadium

Nairobi City Stars vs Green Commandoes   0 – 1 Hope Center

Kangemi All Stars vs St Joseph Youth 1 – 0 Ruaraka Grounds

Kenya Police vs Coast Stima 1 – 0 Karuturi Grounds

KCB vs Nairobi Stima 4 – 1 Camp Toyoyo

Kisumu All Stars vs Kibera Black Stars 1 – 2 Moi Stadium Kisumu