The National Super League (NSL) match day 34 featured thrilling matches across three days—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—with most teams battling either to ascend to the top tier or to avoid relegation.Mozzart Sport followed all ten matches and here is what we learned:The Millers make a title statementMara Sugar showcased their fluid, rampant, and cautious best in their 1-0 defeat of promotion-chasing Nairobi United at Awendo Green Stadium.Seen as the weekend’s highlight, both sides entered the clash needing maximum points to keep their promotion hopes alive.Mara Sugar emerged victorious, with captain Drona Langa’s first-half goal making the difference.This win means the Narok-based team needs just one more victory from their remaining four games to secure promotion to the FKF Premier League and confirm their status as the 2023–2024 NSL champions.Mara Sugar edge closer to promotion with win over Nairobi United, Kisumu keep hot-run goingUltra-competitive relegation battleAt the other end of the table, six points separate Mulembe United in 16th place from second-bottom-placed Gusii, with Kajiado and Mombasa Elite in between.Mulembe, who started April at the bottom of the table, has made clear their intentions of securing another season in the league. Their one-all draw with third-placed Naivas on Sunday moved them a point ahead of Elite.”The survival battle is in our hands to throw away,” said Mulembe Secretary General James Saisi.”We were leading that little pack at the bottom, and now we are out but not yet safe. It’s up to us to stay there.”On the other hand, Elite, who seemed to have avoided the relegation battle a few weeks ago, is now back in the thick of it.Two goals in three minutes from Kibera Black Stars sent coach Patrick Nyale back to the drawing board.From needing three wins to be safe, Elite now must win all their remaining matches or hope that Kajiado and Gusii falter.Erick Johanna goes awol from Harambee Stars squad; Miheso called up as replacementLuanda Villa start chasing goalsLuanda Villa bounced back from a disappointing week to defeat SS Assad 1-0 on Sunday at Ukunda Showgrounds, with a goal from right-back Austin Nyagol.Gilbert Selebwa’s side needed nothing less than three points after fans expressed displeasure with Selebwa’s appointment a week ago, especially since their top-ten finish hopes seemed dashed.A win against the tricky Simba Gii has renewed their hopes, with four games remaining. Villa are now level on points with the tenth-placed Dimba Patriots, trailing only on goal difference.The club’s chairman, Moses Abwenje, is determined to approach the remaining matches one at a time. “We try to keep it as simple as possible. We will try to win all the matches and see where we finish, but a top-ten finish is still possible,” he told Mozzart Sport.Silibwet Leons relegatedAfter four seasons in the second tier, the curtains have fallen on Silibwet Leons.A one-all draw with Migori Youth on Sunday, combined with Mulembe United’s draw with Naivas and Kajiado’s win against Dimba Patriots, confirmed that the Bomet-based club will play in the FKF Division One Zone B next season.Silibwet has had a rough path over the last two years, struggling with financial constraints that jeopardized their league run. On multiple occasions, they arrived at games with only twelve players and sometimes had to field a goalkeeper in an outfield position.##NAJAVA_MECA_8139366##Say No to HooliganismFootball is meant to unite and foster peace in society; it should not be a tool to spread hatred or cause harm to any stakeholders.However, this was not the case on Saturday, when Kajiado won 3-2 against Dimba Patriots in a match that was temporarily stopped after unknown individuals attacked the match officials for allegedly awarding an undeserved penalty to Kajiado, which turned out to be the match-winner. Such acts should be condemned in the strongest terms, as they tarnish our football and hinder efforts to make it marketable and attractive. Teams must not praise or hide such individuals.
