Happy New YearThe National Super League is entering the decisive phase with twenty teams expected to beef up in order to compete for bragging rights in the second tier and a place in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.This will be the first season in three years where the bottom three will be relegated to the third division making this phase more competitive than beforeWill Mathare United succeed in their quest for a return to the FKF Premier League? or will Mara Sugar make it this season after coming close in the previous ones? Can Collins Omondi inspire Naivas and scale them to new heights?As the excitement ramps up for the last phase of the season starting on 6 January, we take a look at some of the happenings’ expected twists and turns this year.##NAJAVA_MECA_7770028##Promotion battleNational Super League big dogs are gearing up arguably one of the most exciting promotion races with the top five separated by six points.At the helm is Naivas with 33 points, three ahead of second-placed Mathare United while Mara Sugar sits third and in the last promotion brackets with 27 points.Kisumu All Stars and Nairobi United are fourth and fifth respectively on 27 and 26 points.Mara have shown some promise over the last two NSL seasons under the leadership of Godfrey Naibei, missing out narrowly on the promotion playoffs last term.However, with the incoming transfer window, it is anticipated they will bolster the squad just like other sides promising an unpredictable strong ending to the promotion race.Luanda Villa, Migori Youth, and Darajani Gogo, despite a slow start to the campaign, should not be ruled out of the elevation conversation.Relegation Bout Mombasa Elite, Silibwet Leons, Gusii FC, Mulembe United, and Vihiga Bullets are engulfed in a demotion battle with some of the aforementioned teams lucky to be playing second-tier football at the moment.Elite are determined to bounce back from a disappointing first quarter of the season that leaves the Coastal club at the bottom of the NSL log with 10 points. They have high hopes for a more inspiring second phase of the season with coach Phelix Ogutu at the helm, commencing their new year journey on 6 January against Kajiado FC.Despite the club facing a massive player exodus heading to the start of the season, Silibwet has all the makings of a team in transition.It would be highly optimistic to label them as potential contenders for the NSL crown in the coming years but have to solve the relegation puzzle first before thinking of league success.With a significant overhaul of their squad, the Bullets are determined to distance themselves from the struggles of the previous season and mount a strong comeback.Their objective is to challenge for a top-half position in the table, seeking to regain their former standing in the league.All in all, Mozzart Sport is equipped to ensure you do not miss any action from the NSL relegation bout.National Super League in numbers: A look at first quarter of the seasonCoaches opting for greener pasturesIn the first quarter of the campaign, over ten coaches left their workstations .The same is expected in 2024 if the clubs fail to pick up a professional approach to running the clubs.Furthermore, the financial muscles of the league make it tough for teams to sustain good gaffers for more than a season.Mozzart Sport understands the movement will be seen before the return of the campaign this weekend with Ibrahim Shikanda set to take over at Kajiado, Vincent Nyaberi making his way to Nairobi United from MCF FC.Benedict Wanjala could cross over to Mara Sugar while we anticipate Mombasa Elite, MCF FC, Vihiga Bullets and Gusii FC to announce managerial changes in the coming days.Mozzart Bet Cup Since the inception of the FKF Cup now Mozzart Bet Cup due to sponsorship from the leading gaming firm in the country, no NSL side has won the trophy.Last season, only nine second-tier sides participated in the prestigious cup tournament that promises Ksh 2 million to the overall winner.With the tough financial situation with our clubs from the division, I anticipate a low turnout from the NSL clubs signaling another wait for a Super League entity to be crowned cup champions.NSL: Okatwa departs Nairobi UnitedTop Scorers RaceThe past seasons have produced strikers who have hit more than twenty league goals.Philemon Nyakwaka of Mara Sugar and Kisumu All Stars’ Michael Karamor are among those who have shown hunger for the Golden Shoe already.It will be interesting to see how the race pans out with Bullet’s youngster Lawrence Ouma, Mombasa Stars’ rising talent Joel Kihara, and Villa’s and Gogo’s target Timothy Ndayala all in the equation.
