B. OdhiamboNSL: Six talking points from weekend action
Reading Time: 4min | Mon. 20.11.23. | 18:49
Mathare United proved yet again they are way above their peers in the second tier
Mathare now a threat from all areas
Mathare United certainly have nothing to prove to cement their status as genuine title and promotion contenders but a labored 2-1 win over Kajiado at the Ildamat Stadium on Sunday does no harm to their growing ruthless reputation. United opened a five-point lead at the summit of the second-tier log and looks destined for an immediate return to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League. Having goals coming from different players in their last league games reflects the biggest shift from last season when United struggled to share the attacking load in the top flight. This year they can get a goal from a cross, they can turn in, they can run one-on-one proving a stable team ready to rumble and tear apart oppositions for a quicker return to the league.
Luanda Villa are showing increased maturity
As with any team moving up a division, it takes a little while to find your feet. But it is quite apparent from recent weeks that Tom Tera’s Luanda Villa side are getting there. Brian Bett's strike at the start of the second half was enough for the club to come from behind and force a draw against a stubborn Nairobi United to maintain the Mumboha-based club's unbeaten start to the league.
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Every team also needs a target player and the form of Timothy Ndayala who has scored five goals in nine NSL games, helps. With a goal down from the first half, Villa displayed their maturity in the second, managing the game and showing resilience to keep the visitors at bay.
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Owande runs the show for impressive Migori Youth
If it hasn’t been noticed already, Migori Youth’s home form since the lifting of their suspension is impressive. On Sunday they made it four league wins from five at the Mbaraki Sports Club with a comfortable 4-2 victory over Mombasa Elite. Peter Okidi’s side swept the hosts away in the first half with Elly Owande playing a starring role. Still yet to register his first goal for the club this season, he did everything but score, pulling the Elite defense every which way. His deliveries were eye-catching and it was his cross that led to the opener then he showed all his skill to beat two players and set up two more goals before scoring the fourth one to cap off his week before he linked up with the Harambee Stars under 18 for CACEFA U18 preparations.
Herculean effort helps to lift Gusii FC
After missing from action, the previous week, Gusii seems to have utilized the break and the results can start to showcase the trajectory rise of the team. A herculean effort saw Gusii win 2-1 against Silibwet Leons and move three points away from the relegation zone – it was their fourth win of the season. It also came against the odds with players demotivated and some out due to injuries.
Rise the officiating standards
A different week, same old song of substandard officiating in the league, the Kajiado FC vs Mathare United match-up was the subject of poor referee decisions that nearly turned the match into chaos with Kajiado claiming they have been denied two clear penalties that could have them upset Mathare and bag a win against the former Kenya Premier League champions.
The song was not different from other fields with National Super League stakeholders calling for immediate action from the league and competitions committee before the league is plunged into chaos.
Who will stop Nyakwaka?
Is there a better striker than Philemon Nyakwaka in the country at the moment? This is a question the Super League die-hards asked after yet another week of brilliance from the Mara Sugar red-hot attacker. Nyakwaka proved to be a big game player as he bagged a second-half hat trick in Machakos to propel the Millers over MCF handing them a 3-0 beating and move five points within the reach of league leaders Mathare United. The former Dandora Love forward has scored twelve goals in eleven league games.
