Mara Sugar claim NSL title following slim win over Mathare United

Mara Sugar are the winners of the 2023-2024 National Super League after recording an important 1-0 victory over close-chasers Mathare in a Round 37 fixture played at the Awendo Green Stadium.

The sugar millers, who earlier this month secured a valuable spot in next season’s FKF Premier League, made sure to double down on that historic achievement by finishing their campaign on top of the pile, and with a game left in the season.

Needing a win to get over the line, the hosts saw a pair of first-half opportunities veer off-target, with Mathare United, who came into the game with a chance to usurp Mara forcing a barren draw at the break.

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And after seeing Dennis Cheruiyot and Matthias Isogol spurn chances, the league leaders finally broke the deadlock immediately after the interval, scoring through Joseph Okwenda, who gave Mathare goalkeeper Gideon Ogweno a rude welcome, having just come on as a replacement for the exiting Steve Njung'e.

With over an hour left in the contest, Mathare's efforts to bring on reinforcements - Paul Kinyanjui, Steve Kimari, Timothy Otieno and Elias Kibet - ended up futile, as Benedict Wanjala's side avenged on their 2-0 defeat to the Slum Boys in the first-leg.

Defeat for Mathare means that they will finish in second place in the NSL standings, but will take pride for a bounce-back season that saw them gain immediate promotion after being relegated from the FKF Premier League last year.

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As for Mara, a season that saw them see-saw in the automatic positions now has a historic first-time trip to the top-tier sealed, and a championship trophy to go with it.

They finish the season next Sunday with a fixture against Vihiga Bullets, when they will relish their crowning moment.

Promotion-playoff spot still up for grabs

The battle between who gets a chance to become the third team to gain promotion to the Premier League next season will go to the last day after the two teams in contention - Naivas FC and Nairobi United - all won on Saturday.

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Naivas, holding on to third spot, needed a solitary goal from Francis Nambute to see off Gusii FC 1-0, while Nairobi United, a point behind the shoppers in third, won by a similar score-line against Migori Youth FC.

Naibois will now hope to win their final game of the season against bottom-placed Silibwet, as Naivas battle SS Assad on the road.

Mulembe avoid the drop

On the other end of the table, Mulembe United secured another season in the National Super League after beating SS Assad 3-0 at Mumias Complex, with Mombasa Elite also recording a win to stay close to survival.

Elite, who now need a point in their last fixture of the season against Mulembe United, earned a 1-0 win over Darajani Gogo, pushing eighteenth placed Kajiado FC closer to the drop.