All to play for as NSL reaches first-leg climax
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Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 31.01.26. | 07:55
Tough battles on either ends of the standings highlight this weekend's action
National Super League (NSL) action resumes on Saturday, 31 January, with four enticing fixtures set to usher in the final round of the opening leg of the season.
Third-placed Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) will be aiming to close the gap on league leaders Migori Youth, as they continue their push for the title and promotion, when they host 3K FC at Mumboha Grounds.
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The Homabay-based side endured a sluggish start to the year, dropping four points from a possible nine, a run that saw them slip to third on 32 points.
However, they remain firmly within touching distance of the summit and are keen to respond emphatically.
Head coach Charles Bruno will draw optimism from an impressive 11-match unbeaten run, while the recent arrival of attacking reinforcements Joshua Amuike, Vincent Nyabuto, and Steve Brian is expected to sharpen MOFA’s edge in the final third as they seek to reignite their title charge.
Standing in their path are fellow promotion hopefuls 3K FC, who are desperate to halt a worrying slump.
The Embu-based outfit has endured a torrid start to 2026, failing to register a win in three matches, suffering defeats to Fortune Sacco FC and Naivas FC, before settling for a 1-1 draw against Nairobi City Stars last weekend.
Coach Francis Chege is hoping to arrest the slide quickly and remain in contention in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested promotion race.
However, 3K face a significant selection headache, with four key players ruled out.
In a club statement, 3K confirmed the absence of "captain Dante, Kadona, and Benaa due to illness (sic)", while leading scorer Alex “Mwalimu” Kazungu is unavailable because of loan restrictions, preventing him from facing parent club MOFA.
The fixture marks the third meeting between the two sides, with 3K holding a slight psychological edge, having drawn their maiden encounter and claimed victory in the reverse fixture.
With maximum points at stake, the clash promises a gripping contest.
At Mashuuru Complex in Kajiado, surprise package Equity FC welcome Nzoia Sugar FC in what is expected to be a bruising battle between two ambitious sides.
The Bankers come into the fixture buoyed by a three-match unbeaten run, maintaining a perfect start to the year, a momentum they will be eager to extend.
Under John “Kamara” Mbezwa, Equity have been outstanding in their debut NSL campaign and are firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion.
Sitting just six points behind leaders Migori Youth, victory would see Equity cut the deficit to three and firmly insert themselves into the title conversation.
However, they face a stern test against an experienced Nzoia Sugar side. Fresh from a spirited late comeback to secure a point away to MOFA, the Charles Odero-coached outfit will be keen to end a two-match winless run and convert their numerous draws into victories.
Currently 10 points off the summit and six shy of the automatic promotion slot, Nzoia know only wins will keep them relevant in the race.
Meanwhile, at Gems Cambridge, Nairobi City Stars take on Naivas FC in another promotion-chasing encounter.
City Stars enter the match on the back of a superb 10-match unbeaten run, a resurgence that has revived their hopes of an immediate return to the FKF Premier League.
Under experienced tactician Salim Babu, the Kawangware-based side has shaken off a shaky start to the season to become one of the league’s most resilient teams.
Concerns remain, however, following a run of four consecutive draws, which has slowed their momentum.
The departure of midfield anchor and top scorer Joshua Amuike to MOFA further compounds their challenge as they seek their first win of the year.
Naivas FC, coached by Elvis Ayani, arrive determined to steady the ship after back-to-back winless outings.
With promotion ambitions still alive after narrowly missing out in recent seasons, Naivas know that any further slip could prove costly. With just one point separating the two sides, the clash shapes up as a pivotal six-pointer.
The weekend’s action concludes at Marist Grounds, where struggling sides Darajani Gogo and FC Talanta face off in vital relegation battle.
Since the departure of head coach Andrew Ongwae to Shabana, Gogo have struggled for form and remain winless in 2026, going four matches without victory.
Now just two points above the relegation zone, the club will be desperate to rediscover stability and pull clear of danger. They face an equally pressured FC Talanta side, who are winless in their last two outings.
Coach Jackson Gatheru will be keen to end the first leg of the campaign on a positive note and build momentum for the second half of the season.
Victory for either side would be massive, lifting Talanta to 26 points and easing relegation worries, while a win for Gogo would open a crucial five-point cushion.
