Ian Simiyu’s hat-trick over the weekend against struggling SS Assad takes him to double digits on the FKF National Super League’s goal scoring chart.At 12 goals he confidently strides into the leading names for the ‘Golden Boot’ chase.He says it’s part of making the club that has hosted him since high school proud.The 22 year old captained the side in their dropping down season from the top tier, a depleted unit and by far, a pale shadow of Salim Babu’s dominant squad the season before that.##NAJAVA_MECA_8692808##The weekend hat-trick, and the consistent wins, Simiyu says, heals the wounds suffered last season in the top flight. “I am pleased with my performance and dedicate the hat trick to our fans who have stood by us through and through. We had to accept and fit in in the NSL and even though it wasn’t easy at first, we have managed to gradually pick ourselves up. The huge victory is positive going into the second leg,” says the lad. The sugar millers, albeit without a sponsor, desperately want to climb back up.Ambani frustrated as Leopards’ slow start costs them against SharksHaving had their long-term association with Nzoia Sugar factory terminated, they have had to make do with the little well-wishers manage to contribute.Halima Imbachi leads Junior Starlets provisional squad for U17 Women’s World Cup qualifierSimiyu, a local lad, says it would be the greatest gift he could give to the Sudi faithful if the club earns promotion at the end of the season. “We are taking one game at a time and keeping our heads down. The huge victory hasn’t gotten into our heads because we know we still have tough matches coming up. We actually don’t look at whoever we are playing, whether top of the table or bottom, we just go all out for the win,” continues Simiyu.Nzoia have won five games on the trot including difficult away victories against Luanda Villa and Muhoroni Youth, all in which Simiyu led from the front. With such individual performances always comes scouting eyes and with the mid-season transfer window now open, top teams in the premier league are on the hunt for top performers in the NSL.Former Harambee Stars midfielder proposes thorough reforms to cure perennial Kenyan football problemsTwelve goals and six assists in just 18 appearances are numbers that can attract attention of any top team in the country. Simiyu admits he has been approached, and not just once. “It’s true I have been approached by a few Premier League teams and even NSL teams. At the moment, I haven’t decided on anything and I’m not sure what tomorrow holds. A great part of it depends also with the team management. If a good deal comes and the club agrees to let me go I’ll definitely move,” added Simiyu. The weekend dismantling of Assad takes the Sugar millers to 28 points, seventh on the log but a massive fifteen points away from the top. They, however, have played two games less than a majority of clubs above them including log leaders Nairobi United.
