Otenga shines at home as Mara Sugar share spoils with Naivas
By Barry.Silah, April 3, 2023
Kisumu All-Stars FC put their financial troubles aside as they won 1-0 at home on Saturday against visiting Gusii FC in a National Super League fixture.
Otenga as they are popularly known gave out their first walkover of the season to Muranga Seal FC mid last week for not being able to travel for the fixture due to cash crunch but Andre Aroka’s side made it up by winning in against a difficult opponent in a match that threatened to go either way. The lone goal in the match played at Moi Stadium in Kisumu City was scored by Bruce Oduor in the fifth minute.
As a result of the win, All-Stars are now in seventh place with 25 points off 16 matches. This was their second win inside five matches played and currently the Lakeside boys have a goal difference of +13. On their part, visiting Gusii are ninth on the log with the same number of points albeit with a game more and a weaker goal difference.
Kassim Juma’s side has endured a torrid run losing four consecutive matches in the League. Meanwhile a heavyweight clash pitting retail giants Naivas FC and sugar makers Mara Sugar FC ended allsquare in a goalless match.
The match played at Migori Stadium Saturday had flair and much running from both ends but ultimately accounted for nothing. However, Mara FC under the tutelage of Coach Francis Xavier are sitting pretty in third place with 28 points having collected eight points out of a possible 15.
As for Naivas, they are now down to sixth place with 26 points with a goal difference currently standing at +9. In another duel, Kibera Black Stars continued to haunt them after also going goalless in a repeat tie Sunday against lowly Silibwet Leons. The match played at Bomet Stadium was the previous day halted in the first half with the surface deemed unplayable and a repeat was called a day after in a midmorning duel.
The slum-boys who are currently fifth in the standings with 27 points have not won in the past five matches which is a worry for them having started the season with a bang.
Leons have their story now in similar fashion and are down in 17th place having only won once in 17 meetings with all their last five matches ending in losses.