Nzoia Sugar’s gallant 2-1 victory over big brother AFC Leopards on Saturday in the Madaraka Say Cup comes as a proper way of licking their wounds after an uneventful FKF premier league season that has them already relegated with three more matches to play. Nzoia, chosen as Leopards’ opponents for the official opening of the newly-refurbished Masinde Muliro Kanduyi stadium, went down 1-0 in the first half through former Green Commandos youngster Christopher Koloti, but responded twice to claim the Madaraka Day Cup. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8136651##Winger Ian Simiyu might have just been the change that turned the game on its head for Leopards. Though not on the scoresheet on the day, his loosening of the ridge Leopards backline set up David Simiyu and Victor Maliachi’s two goals. He says the cup victory means a lot to the team, especially after everything that transpired through the season.“It might not look like much, but if you’ve had a season like us, this is very big for the team’s morale. We take home something for the season, a reminder to us that it isn’t over yet and we can still bounce back from the recent relegation set-back,’’ says Simiyu. Nzoia Sugar: Seven memorable years and a flight too close to the sunThe sugar millers faced the chop from the top flight FKF PL after a match day 31 barren draw against Nairobi City Stars. Simiyu, who has been on the team’s roster since leaving high school, largely missed out on more than half of the second leg action after featuring in all the first leg matches. He says he came down with a heavy bout of malaria that sidelined him for up to three months.“Mine was a strange case. I should have been back sooner but it really persisted however much we made trips to the hospital. Luckily, I was able to come back before the season’s end, but I honestly regret missing out that long. So much has changed,’’ he continues. FIFA U17 WCQ: Junior Starlets ramp up preparations ahead of Burundi clashDespite managing to garner some minutes in matches against Gor Mahia, Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker in the second leg, damage seems to have already been done for his side. There was only so much he could salvage out of a season that already seemed to have sealed its fate for Nzoia. Simiyu ponders what lies next. “At the moment we have to finish the season. We give everything in the three remaining matches and wait to hear the management’s decisions ahead of next season’s NSL,’’ he adds.Many football observers view Nzoia’s tumultuous season as occasioned by their release of more than half of the playing unit before the current season began. Simiyu, as a matter of fact, had also made his way to Sofapaka but had to be recalled when the two clubs failed to reach an agreement. Needless to say, the current woes could have found him long gone. He has no regrets though.“I still had a running contract so professionalism demands that I see it through and I have,” he concludes. Nzoia have Ulinzi Stars, Muhoroni Youth and Sofapaka as their last matches for the season before they head down into the second tier NSL.
