NSL Preview: Shabana face abject Vihiga, SS Assad seek return to winning ways

Photo Credit: Shabana FC .

FOOTBALL NSL Preview: Shabana face abject Vihiga, SS Assad seek return to winning ways

Mark Kinyanjui 09:40 - 24.04.2023

League leaders Shabana FC face Vihiga United as SS Assad host Migori Youth FC.

National Super League league leaders Shabana fc are keen to stretch their lead at the top of the table this afternoon when they face Vihiga United away at the Mumia Sports Complex in Monday afternoon kickoff. 

The former high flying top-flight club has recently faced headwinds in their quest to regain promotion as losses to Kisumu All Stars, SS Assad and a draw with Silibwet in their last five fixtures slowed down their sprint to the finish line.

The slip ups let hot pursuers Muranga Seal to sneak within touching distance and creating worries for Shabana whose surge to the top seemed a foregone conclusion.

In another exciting fixture, SS Assad will be driven by the desire to remove the bitter taste of losing 3-0 to Gusii FC last week when they host Migori youth FC today.

Shabana FC have had somewhat of a feel-good factor this season, as they currently top the Super League charge on 42 points after 20 matches played, but are wary of Murang’a seal’s form, as the side currently sit 4 points behind them but with a game in hand.

They have won just two of their last 5 league fixtures, including a shocking defeat to SS Assad two fortnights ago, when their defense just could not handle Beja Nyamawi’s goal-scoring threat from midfield, as he scored a brace that day.

Shabana will look to Vincent “Terminator” Nyabuto for inspiration with his hot-goalscoring streak in order to help Shabana get all three points in Mumias today. Nyabuto was instrumental to their win over Mombasa FC last Friday as he produced a man of the match display which he capped off with a goal.

Vihiga United have struggled to be prolific in front of goal, scoring just 5 goals but conceding 17 and now find themselves languishing 14th in the log standings. 

They will need to correct their bad run of form, where they have won just one of their last five games, and being the home team, will want to avoid defeat to Shabana.

SS Assad will seek to get all three points against Migori hoping that a win will steer them clear of the relegation places. They currently sit 15th on just 12 points, having won just one of their last 5 games, the shock 3-1 win over Shabana FC.

They are, however, boosted by the presence of the NSL’s leading goalscorer, Nyamawi Beja, who sits top of the goalscoring charts with 11 goals. The midfielder’s ability to score goals from midfield has gotten fans excited, dubbing him the new Frank Lampard.

Migori youth FC are on a strong run of form, losing none of their last 5 league games, where they have won 3 and drawn 5. They have become somewhat of a resolute side away from home, avoiding defeat in 3 of their last 5 fixtures away from home. They are 6th in the league for away form record.

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