Teams engaged in the race towards securing promotion to the National Super League (NSL) and the relegation battle face crucial match ups as the third tier returns this weekend with seven matches on the cards.The relegation battle takes centre stage at Kanyonyo grounds as the thirteenth-placed Administration Police confront Malindi Progressive.Ahead of the match, APS are on a run of seven unbeaten games winning three of their previous fixtures without conceding.##NAJAVA_MECA_7359253##Malindi on the other hand, have been weak defensively as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in fourteen league games.Furthermore, the Kassim Mohamed-coached side, have won one match in six games, a run largely contributed by the mass walkout of players.AP interim coach Benedict Wanjala has said that his side has “four finals” remaining in the third tier as they look to remain above the red zone.”We’ve got four finals coming up in a very difficult situation and we really have to grind for results. There’s no other option. We’ll just have to take one game at a time and hopefully on Saturday we’ll get maximum points,” said Wanjala, who took over the reins mid – season.Kariobangi Sharks smiling all the way to the bank after cashing Tyson Otieno to Police FCAt the Gems Cambridge grounds, the race for a place in second tier will take centre stage as promotion favorites Nairobi United kick off match day 32 against Liberty Sports Academy.The Naiboi’s come into the match on the back of a disappointing one win in four rounds which has seen them drop out of promotion bracket.The results have left the Division One moneybags baying for more points and coach Paul Okatwa, is expecting strong response from his players.Day of reckoning as curtains fall on the National Super LeagueIn Ruiru, the most daunting fixture on paper this weekend will take place as Zetech Titans face relegation battling Balaji EPZ.Andrew Kanuli’s team (Balaji) are in rich form having picked up nine of the twelve points available from the last four fixtures and subsequently, breezed from bottom of the league to two points closer to safety.EPZ will be aware of the difficulty of the fixture particularly as they are up against a Zetech side who are keen to bounce back from a disappointing run of one win in five games.Div One Zone B: Zoo FC ,Green Commandos continue hunt for promotionElsewhere, Rainbow FC face another key fixture on their quest for promotion against Dandora Youth at MYSA Komarock grounds.Rainbow have been showing great improvement match in match out and Evans Macharia men will set their sights on picking up another three crucial points against the Dandora based team that has little to play for in their remaining fixtures this campaign.FKF Division One Zone A Weekend FixturesDandora Youth vs Rainbow – MYSA Komarok Grounds | NairobiOlympic Pirates vs 3K -Isiolo H.Sch G. | IsioloAdministration Police vs Malindi Progressive – Kanyonyo G. | KanyonyoLiberty Sports Academy vs Nairobi United-Gems Cambridge | NairobiZetech Titans vs Balaji EPZ -Ruiru Stadium |RuiruKenya Navy vs Kibera Soccer -Kimaru Stadium |MombasaKibra United vs Equity-Woodley Grounds |Nairobi
