NSL Wrap: Fortune falter in promotion race against Kisumu All Stars as Gucha rally late to hold City Stars
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 10.01.26. | 19:07
The result denied Fortune a chance to move up to second place on the log, as a win would have taken them within a point of leaders Migori Youth
Kisumu All Stars continued their steady resurgence under head coach Duncan Omondi after claiming a vital 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing Fortune Sacco in a National Super League (NSL) encounter played on Saturday at Moi Stadium, Kisumu.
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Goals from Abuna Asweyo and Emmanuel Owino sealed the win for Otenga, while Kevin Maina grabbed a consolation for Fortune Sacco.
The result denied Fortune a chance to move up to second place on the log, as a win would have taken them within a point of leaders Migori Youth.
For Kisumu, it marked another encouraging step forward after a slow start to the campaign.
Kisumu had entered the match on the back of a mixed run, having lost 3-1 to Luanda Villa after drawing 1-1 with Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA), before kick-starting their revival with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Naivas FC.
For Fortune Sacco, the defeat was their first under head coach Vincent Nyaberi, who took charge at the start of December last year.
The win lifts Kisumu All Stars to 17th place on the 20-team log with 16 points, while Fortune Sacco remains fifth with 28 points.
Match Report
The contest was played at a high tempo from the opening whistle, with both sides trading attacks in an end-to-end first half that kept the home crowd on edge.
Kisumu showed intent early on, pressing high and forcing Fortune into hurried clearances.
As the half progressed, Fortune settled into the game and began to enjoy more possession, probing for openings, but Kisumu remained disciplined at the back and dangerous on the counter.
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The breakthrough eventually came in the 37th minute, when Abuna Asweyo finished off a well-worked move to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Buoyed by the opener, Kisumu carried their momentum into the second half and needed little time to double their advantage.
Just after the restart, Emmanuel Owino struck to put Otenga 2-0 up, sparking celebrations in the stands and shifting the pressure firmly onto the visitors.
Fortune responded by pushing numbers forward in search of a way back into the contest.
Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute, when Lucas Askoe turned provider, setting up Kevin Maina to pull one back and set up a tense finish.
The closing stages were frantic, with Fortune throwing everything forward while Kisumu dug deep to protect their slender advantage.
Despite sustained pressure, the hosts held firm to secure a hard-earned victory that underlined their growing confidence under Omondi.
Gucha Stars 2-2 Nairobi City Stars
Elsewhere at Gusii Stadium, NSL newcomers Gucha Stars staged a dramatic late comeback to hold Nairobi City Stars to a 2-2 draw.
City Stars looked set for all three points after Joshua Amunike struck twice in the second half to put the visitors firmly in control.
However, Gucha refused to fold and mounted a late rally that stunned their opponents.
Vincent Nyabuto emerged as the hero for the hosts, scoring a late brace to rescue a share of the spoils and take his season tally to 10 goals.
The draw leaves Gucha Stars 13th on the log with 19 points, while Nairobi City Stars sit eighth with 23 points.
