Shabana one point away from winning NSL title as Mara Sugar cling to third place

Shabana FC are just one point away from claiming the National Super League title while Mara Sugar have moved to third place as the race for the promotion playoff spot hots up.

Shabana maintained their winning run following a 3-1 victory against MCF in a rescheduled match at a packed Gusii Stadium on Wednesday.

Shabana’s match was rained off on Tuesday, making the pitch unplayable, but that did not deter the fans from filling the stadium the following day and they were rewarded with a good show.

Isaac Otino, Mustapha Odour and Nehemiah Onchiri were on target for Tore Bobe as they dismantled their opponents to take extend their lead at the top of the table to five points with two games to go.

Shabana will now need to avoid defeat in their penultimate game away to second-placed Murang’a Seal to complete the job with both teams already promoted to the Premier League.

Murang’a missed a chance to make it a grand finish when they drew 1-1 away to Kibera Black Stars and are now on 65 points while Shabana have 70.

Meanwhile, Mara Sugar moved to third place following their 1-0 win over Vihiga United as they seek to dislodge Migori Youth for third place which guarantees them a promotion playoff slot against Wazito FC.

However, Mara have played two games more than Migori and they will be praying that their rivals falter in their matches in hand for them to profit.

Mara have 57 points, four ahead of Migori, who can move to third with maximum points from their two games in hand.

In other matches played on Wednesday, Coastal Heroes beat Kajiado 2-1 while Gusii United triumphed 1-0 against Darajani Gogo.

Elsewhere, Mwatate United beat Mombasa Elite 2-0 while Naivas FC and SS Assad played out a goalless draw.