NSL Round 17: Majirani derby headlines Sunday action as promotion race intensifies
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Reading Time: 4min | Sun. 18.01.26. | 08:49
The standout fixture of the day is the highly anticipated Majirani Derby, where hosts Fortune Sacco welcome 3K FC to Kirinyaga Stadium
National Super League (NSL) Round 17 action continues on Sunday, 18 January, with seven tantalising fixtures lined up as the promotion race edges closer to a decisive phase.
The standout fixture of the day is the highly anticipated Majirani Derby, where hosts Fortune Sacco welcome 3K FC to Kirinyaga Stadium in a clash that could significantly reshape the upper-half standings.
Fortune Sacco head into the derby seeking redemption after a two-match winless run that halted their momentum following a three-match winning streak.
The microfinance-backed side currently sit sixth on 26 points, just one behind their visitors and eight adrift of leaders Migori Youth.
With 2026 yet to yield maximum points for Fortune, Sunday’s encounter presents an opportunity to reignite their promotion push as the season approaches its defining run-in.
Prior to their recent dip, Fortune had surged into the top half and firmly entrenched themselves in the promotion conversation, a form they will be eager to rediscover against familiar foes.
Standing in their path is a wounded 3K FC side reeling from a shock 2–1 home defeat to Naivas FC last weekend.
That loss extended the Embu-based outfit’s inconsistency to seven matches, during which they have managed just three wins against four defeats.
The setback also widened the gap to leaders Migori Youth to six points, leaving Francis Chege’s charges knowing that nothing short of maximum points will suffice to keep their promotion aspirations alive.
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Derby bragging rights, however, often defy form.
Last season, honours were even as both sides shared the spoils, with Fortune winning the first meeting 1–0 before 3K responded with a 2–1 victory in the reverse fixture.
A win on Sunday would lift 3K to 30 points, while Fortune would move to 28, setting the stage for a fiercely contested affair.
Luanda Villa vs MOFA
At Mumboha Grounds in Luanda, Luanda Villa host promotion hopefuls Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) in another mouth-watering encounter.
Luanda enter the match on the back of a narrow 2–1 defeat to Kibera Black Stars, a loss that snapped their impressive six-match unbeaten run.
Despite the setback, the run had propelled them up to 13th place on 21 points.
The fixture also marks the dawn of a new era at Luanda, with former AFC Leopards, Kakamega Homeboyz and Harambee Stars forward Francis Chinjili taking charge for the first time following the departure of veteran tactician Leonard Swaleh.
Chinjili faces an immediate test against an in-form MOFA side sitting second on 28 points, five behind leaders Migori Youth.
MOFA head coach Charles Bruno acknowledged the challenge of playing at Mumboha Grounds but expressed confidence in his side’s preparedness.
“It is a tough environment to go to, but it’s a new season and a new year. We have to be mentally upright,” Bruno said. “We worked on our finishing, which let us down in the last match, and we are well prepared to go all out against Luanda.”
Bruno will be keen to quickly make amends for MOFA’s slight slump against Equity, which saw them drop two valuable points and narrowly miss closing in on Migori.
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A win would see MOFA cut the gap at the summit to just two points, while for Luanda it would mark the perfect start to the Chinjili era as they seek an immediate response to last week’s setback.
At Mbaraki Sports Ground, promotion hopefuls Mombasa United lock horns with fellow contenders Kibera Black Stars in what promises to be an explosive encounter.
Mombasa are eager to bounce back after a 1–0 away loss to Soy United last weekend.
Head coach Gilbert Selebwa will be banking on his side’s strong home form to steady a campaign that has recently been marred by inconsistency.
Kibera, under coach Iddi Badi, arrive buoyant after a five-match unbeaten run dating back to last year, a resurgence that has reignited their promotion ambitions.
The Rubis-backed side will be keen to extend that run in their first away fixture of the new year.
Elsewhere, Nzoia Sugar host Soy United at Sudi Stadium, with both sides enjoying positive momentum.
Nzoia are on an eight-match unbeaten streak and come off a statement 4–1 win over Darajani Gogo, and will be out to extend that fine run to nine matches.
Soy United, meanwhile, are unbeaten in three matches and fresh from a confidence-boosting 2–1 victory over Mombasa United. Coach Jeff Odongo’s charges will be keen to stretch their good run and improve an away record that has been wanting.
At GEMS Cambridge, former FKF Premier League side Nairobi City Stars take on struggling Kisumu All Stars.
City Stars are unbeaten in eight matches and will be looking to extend that run, while All Stars arrive boosted by a surprise 2–1 win over Fortune Sacco and seek their first away victory of the campaign.
The remaining fixtures see Kabati Youth host Darajani Gogo at Thika Stadium, while bottom-placed Mwatate United welcome FC Talanta at Wundanyi Stadium.
