NSL: Top spot up for grabs as Mombasa United visit Kabati Youth, Soy plot Migori Youth downfall

The National Super League (NSL) first leg concludes today, with six matches scheduled across various venues around the country.

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Sunday’s fixtures carry significant weight at both ends of the table, as promotion and relegation battles begin to take clear shape.

Attention, however, firmly rests on the promotion race, where Migori Youth, Soy United, Mombasa United, and Fortune Sacco are all under pressure to collect maximum points following Michael Olunga Football Academy’s (MOFA) win over 3K FC Embu on Saturday.

Soy United vs Migori Youth

Our first stop is ASK Showgrounds, Eldoret, where sixth-placed Soy United hosts league leaders Migori Youth in a mouthwatering encounter, given the recent form of both sides.

Migori will not blink, with MOFA breathing down their necks and only a single point separating the two South Nyanza outfits at the summit.

The league leaders head into the clash seeking a third straight league victory for the first time since October 2025, when they went on a four-match winning run against Mwatate United, FC Talanta, Kisumu All Stars, and Mully Children Family (MCF). Since then, they have struggled to match that consistency.

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Ahead of the Eldoret trip, the Sammy Otulo-coached side recorded emphatic 4-0 wins over Luanda Villa and Naivas, scoring four goals in back-to-back matches.

Otulo will be keen to sustain that momentum, though Migori’s away form remains a concern, having managed just one win in their last four road matches, with the other three ending in narrow defeats.

Soy United, under Jeffers Odongo, approach the fixture with renewed belief after setting a new club record in midweek by winning five consecutive league matches for the first time in their history.

The Eldoret-based outfit has beaten Gucha Stars, Mwatate United, Nzoia Sugar, Mombasa United, and Equity Bank in a remarkable run that has reignited their promotion ambitions.

Against the league leaders, Soy will rely heavily on their formidable home form. They remain unbeaten at ASK Showgrounds this season, winning eight of their nine home league matches, with only one ending in a draw.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Migori coach Otulo said experience would be key in the business end of the season.

“We went for experienced players who can help us when the league hits the homestretch. You need players who can handle pressure when targeting qualification,” said Otulo, citing Yusuf Ochieng, Vincent Wanga, and Noah Jangongo.

Soy boss Odongo, meanwhile, expects a tough contest.

“It will be a tough and entertaining game. We will go all out for maximum points. We have a good team, and we are ready,” he said.

Kabati Youth vs Mombasa United

From Eldoret, the focus shifts to Thika Stadium, where another promotion-defining clash awaits as Mombasa United visits 14th-placed Kabati Youth, knowing a win could propel them to the top of the table depending on results elsewhere.

Kabati, in their maiden NSL campaign, approach the fixture aware that every point is vital in their survival fight.

The Haji Bilal-coached side is on a positive run, remaining unbeaten in their last three matches, which includes two consecutive wins and a draw.

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The victories came against strong opponents, Gucha Stars and Darajani Gogo.

Mombasa United, on the other hand, arrive buoyed by renewed confidence after ending their away struggles last weekend, coming from behind to beat Vihiga United 3-1.

Victory in Thika would also see Mombasa surpass last season’s points tally of 35, underlining their steady rise in the promotion race.

Elsewhere, Luanda Villa hosts Fortune Sacco at Mumboha Grounds, with Francis Chinjili seeking his first win as Villa head coach, while Sacco aims to force their way back into the top three depending on other results.

At Muhoroni Stadium, Kisumu All Stars and Mwatate United lock horns in a crucial relegation battle. Gucha Stars welcome Mully Children Family (MCF) at Gusii Stadium, although uncertainty surrounds the visitors’ participation after management reportedly informed players they would not travel for undisclosed reasons.

The first-leg action concludes at Mumboha Stadium, where Vihiga United faces Kibera Black Stars.