NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 8 – Murang’a Seal moved to the top of the National Super League on Wednesday after edging out Naivas FC 2-1 to push their bid for an automatic promotion to next season’s Premier League.
Goals from former Gor Mahia striker John Kiplangat and Fabian Adikiny gave Murang’a the much needed victory in their chase for a first ever slot in the FKF Premier League.
The victory took Seal to 61 points, one ahead of second placed Shabana who have played two matches less and head coach Vincent Nyaberi has asked his side to take the remaining four matches as finals.
“The boys put in some really good effort. We had mapped out a good plan to get maximum points and the players did exactly what we instructed them to do,” Nyaberi said after the win over Naivas.
He added; “For us now, every game is a final. There is no easy team and I want to urge the boys to keep pushing in the last four games. We will work hard until the final day because you never know, even Shabana can drop points somewhere.”
Against Naivas, Kiplang’at broke the deadlock in the 14th minute on the second bite of the cherry after his initial effort with a shot from inside the box was saved by the keeper.
Naivas however drew level just four minutes later when former Posta Rangers striker Ken Mutembei headed home from point blank off a cross on the left.
In a few minutes of flurry of goals, Seal re-took the lead in the 23rd minute when Adikiny fired to the roof of the net from his left foot after Kiplang’at had won back possession as Naivas tried to play out from the back.
Seal are seeking a direct promotion to the top tier, having come close last season when they lost the play-off to Wazito FC.
Shabana will have a chance to rally back to the top of the log on Saturday when they face off with Gusii FC in a local derby at the Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.
While Seal and Shabana lead the race for automatic promotion, Migori Youth and Mara Sugar are battling for the play-off slot. They are both on 50 points after 27 matches with Migori third on goal difference.
Migori host Kibera Black Stars on Saturday while Mara travel away to Silibwet on Sunday.
