Shabana and Migori Youth to lock horns in epic duel

Sports

Shabana and Migori Youth to lock horns in epic duel

Friday 16th June, 2023 05:44 PM| By Joel Sang

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Shabana and Migori Youth will lock horns in a highly anticipated National Super League match on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Gusii Stadium.

The match will be played after Migori Youth made allegations that there are rampant cases of match-fixing in the NSL.

Following the conclusion of Round 33 games, Migori Youth lost third place to Mara Sugar when the latter claimed a 7-0 win over Silibwet Leons.

The Sugar Millers needed seven goals against Silibwet Leons in order to go third and dislodge Migori Youth, and they got just that, leading to furious protests from the Nyanza-based club.

Migori Youth protest

“Mara Sugar FC needed seven goals to leapfrog Migori Youth FC in the league standings, and interestingly, Silbwet FC conceded seven goals, six of those coming in the second half!

“Suffice it to note that Silibwet FC had already been flagged for match manipulation early in the season.

“As a club that highly values integrity, we are deeply concerned with the recent happenings,” Migori Youth said in their protest statement.

The Football Kenya Federation have, however, not responded to the allegations made by the club.

Meanwhile, in the round of 34, the Shabana vs Migori Youth match will be the highlight and given that both are chasing promotion, the battle is expected to be an epic one.

Mara Sugar in NSL action against Silibwet FC in Bomet. PHOTO/Mara Sugar FC/Facebook.

As they welcome Migori Youth to Gusiii Stadium, ‘Tore Bobe’ need a win to boost their chances of regaining the top position. Currently, Muranga Seal, who have played one more game than Shabana, are at the top courtesy of goal difference.

While the majority of the eyes will be fixed on the Shabana and Migori Youth duel in Kisii, Murang’a Seal will be up against SS Assad on Sunday at Mbaraki Stadium.

While Shabana are fighting to get back to the top flight after many years of absence, Murang’a Seal will be featuring in the Premier League for the first time ever if they get promoted.

Promotion race

Seal and Shabana have been leading the NSL race for the better part of the season and currently occupy the two top positions that guarantee promotion to the Premier League.

Mara Sugar are third and are locked in a fierce battle for the third position against Migori Youth. The team that finishes third will have a chance to qualify for the top tier through playoffs, and this fact is what informed Migori Youth’s protest against Mara Sugar’s last huge victory.

Only five games remain for the second tier to conclude, and as the competition hits the homestretch, eyes will be keen on how Shabana, who will be hosted by Murang’a Seal in the final game of the season at St Sebastian Park, Migori, and Mara Sugar will perform.

Kinera Black Stars celebrate a goal in NSL action. PHOTO/Kibera Black Stars/Facebook.

Meanwhile, Kibera Black Stars will host Darajani Gogo Boys, while Naivas, who lost and handed crucial points to Seal to claim the top spot, will battle Kajiado FC.

Former Premier League side Vihiga United, who have had a poor season in the Second Division, are scheduled to play Mombasa Elite in Mumias.

After suffering their biggest setback of the season, Silibwet Leons will travel to tackle Mwatate United at Wundanyi Stadium.