Mara Sugar down in the second tier National Super League (NSL) look to have pulled a fast one on previous log leaders Naivas and Mathare United football clubs.Tough away fixtures had headlined their recent engagements yet, as if out of nowhere, the millers stealthily weathered their way out of the chasing pack to claim- and retain- pole position on the log. Currently, the side looks unstoppable.A resilient 3-2 dispatching of an equally tough Kisumu All Stars in Kisumu is their latest conquest, and thanks to their mid-season acquisition from Luanda Villa Michael Isabwa.The speedy winger rose from the bench in the 63rd minute to set up Drona Wanga for the equalizer.##NAJAVA_MECA_8109820##He would show up at the death to claim all three points for the visitors. All Stars, shell-shocked, had led 2-1 for a better part of the game yet unbeknownst to them, their home turf Moi Stadium is Isabwa’s territory too.He has always scored here, and in whichever uniform.‘’I’ve played many matches at the venue and I always seem to get good results there,’’ Isabwa- a seasoned player in Kenya’s top flight, said after the game.Mara Sugar rose to 68 points with the win after 31 rounds of NSL matches.Just four points adrift of second place Mathare United, they have seven more contests to see through- and, hopefully, gain promotion into the FKF Premier League for the first time. Isabwa terms them ‘seven finals’‘’Every match for us is like a final now. We are not dropping our guard down because we have experienced just how competitive the league is,’’ adds the former Kakamega Homeboyz, Kariobangi Sharks and Vihiga United forward.For a team that picked maximum points from the toughest of hunting grounds- Kisumu, and earlier on, Luanda- Mara will be tails up as the league gears towards closing.Sofapaka vigilant during league homestretchStarlets midfielder Corazone Aquino pleads more support to women’s footballIsabwa has experienced promotion into the top flight with Vihiga United and looks forward to a Deja vu with Mara.‘’Of course, it will be great to relive that moment when it happens. A good team playing in the second tier always hopes for promotion into the top level. We are no different and our combined efforts are aimed at exactly that,’’ he says.A side reeling from the loss of their Team Manager Thomas Oduor- laid to rest on Saturday in Siaya- Mara Sugar returns to action, hurt, but with a mission to accomplish.With Nzoia Sugar already relegated from the FKF PL, and the likes of Shabana and Muhoroni Youth’s fates hanging in the balance, Mara’s promotion could mean a delicate balance for football lovers in Nyanza and Western regions.
