NSL Saturday Preview: Migori Youth face stern City Stars test as MOFA seek redemption

The National Super League returns this weekend, with five fixtures scheduled for Saturday, 15 November.

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The highlight of Saturday’s action will unfold at the KHIBT Grounds in Ngong, where league leaders Migori Youth continue their charge at the summit.

The high-flying Migori-based outfit will be aiming to solidify their grip on top spot, and potentially stretch their lead to 19 points as the promotion race intensifies.

However, Migori’s ambitions will be put to a rigorous test against former FKF Premier League side Nairobi City Stars, a team desperate to reverse a worrying run of form.

Simba wa Nairobi arrive in Ngong as a wounded lion, winless in their last four outings, and eager to roar back to winning ways.

Migori enter the clash buoyed by last weekend’s narrow 1–0 victory over debutants Gucha Stars, a result that not only returned them to winning ways, but also restored them to the top of the table.

They will be keen to rebuild the momentum they lost following their earlier setback against Equity FC.

City Stars, on the other hand, are enduring a difficult return to the second tier.

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With only two wins from seven games and four defeats, they find themselves deep in the mid-table, sitting 13th, just two points above the danger zone.

Head coach Salim Babu faces mounting pressure to turn the tide and reignite their push for an immediate return to top-flight football.

History, however, offers City Stars encouragement, as they have won two of their last three meetings with Migori Youth.

With Migori chasing consolidation at the summit and City Stars fighting to rewrite their season, the encounter promises high drama and a fiercely competitive spectacle.

At Moi Stadium Kisumu, bottom-placed Kisumu All Stars host second-placed Mombasa United in a clash that carries contrasting ambitions.

All Stars are enduring one of the toughest starts to life in the NSL since their promotion, going winless in six matches, with only two draws, which has left them rooted to the foot of the table with just two points.

Head coach Billy Agai will be desperate to finally halt the alarming slide and pick up their first win of the campaign.

But that task becomes even tougher against an in-form Mombasa United side.

Under the guidance of Gilbert Selebwa, the visitors have enjoyed a dream start, five wins from eight, placing them joint top of the standings, sitting second only on goal difference.

Interestingly, history leans slightly in favour of All Stars, who collected four points in their two meetings with Mombasa last season.

With Mombasa United eyeing the summit and Kisumu All Stars searching for an overdue first victory, the clash promises a gripping showdown at the lakeside.

At the Vapour Grounds in Ngong, an equally enticing battle pits third-placed Naivas FC against red-hot Equity FC.

Naivas recovered from a two-match winless run, which included draws against debutants Kabati Youth and Mombasa United, with a crucial win over Soy United.

The Retailers will now be looking to storm to the top of the table, depending on results involving Migori Youth and Mombasa United.

However, they face a resolute Equity side coached by John Mbenzo, who have stitched together an impressive three-match unbeaten run.

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The Bankers have already claimed statement victories over table-toppers Migori Youth and Kibera Black Stars, and will be eager to produce yet another big result.

In what will be their first-ever meeting, a win for Equity would take them to 13 points and into the top four, while victory for Elvis Ayani’s Naivas could see them touch the summit for the first time this season.

At Gusii Stadium, debutants Gucha Stars will be hunting their second win of the campaign.

After kicking off their NSL journey with a stunning victory over seasoned Vihiga United, the Kisii-based outfit has since gone winless in three matches, picking up one draw and suffering back-to-back defeats to Fortune Sacco and Migori Youth.

Head coach Sammy Okoth will be pushing his side to reclaim home dominance, but standing in their way is a stubborn Nzoia Sugar FC outfit, the league’s only unbeaten team after eight rounds.

Despite that unbeaten record, Nzoia have drawn six consecutive matches and last tasted victory in September during their 2–1 win over 3K FC.

Coach Charles Odero will be determined to finally snap the streak and climb into the top five.

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In their first competitive meeting, a win for Nzoia Sugar would lift them to 12 points and into fifth place, while Gucha could climb out of the relegation zone to 15th with victory.

The day's final fixture takes us to Mamboleo Stadium, where an under-pressure Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) side faces a surging Fortune Sacco.

MOFA enjoyed a bright start to the season, winning their opening two matches and briefly occupying the summit. But their campaign has since derailed, they now find themselves on a five-match winless run, dropping to tenth place.

Their recent poor form has even prompted a shift of home fixtures from Raila Odinga Stadium back to the familiar Mamboleo turf.

Fortune Sacco, meanwhile, have sprung to life after a shaky start.

The Kirinyaga-based outfit is currently on a five-match unbeaten run, a resurgence that has pushed them to eighth place, level on nine points with MOFA, Nzoia and FC Talanta.

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The teams meet for the third time, with Fortune Sacco boasting the upper hand from last season after collecting four points from the two fixtures.

Coach Charles Bruno will be aiming to break the jinx, while Fortune look to maintain their dominance.

With both sides hungry to climb the table, the match is set to deliver another enthralling contest in Kisumu.