NSL: Mombasa Elites edge Assad to win Coastal Derby

George Ochieng's goal in the 49th minute floored SS Assad 1-0, earning Mombasa Elites bragging rights in the Coastal derby at Serani Sports Club in Mombasa on Saturday.

Elites Head Coach Benedict Simiyu praised his boys after a deserved win.

"I am pleased with my boys, they played well coming from a two-game losing streak and claiming all points in the derby. We are now fully focused on our next match and aim to finish strongly," said Simiyu.

Assad started well with the red-hot SS Assad forward Abdallah Mdeka coming close to scoring in the fourth minute after his effort from a freekick came off the bar. 

Five minutes later, a lovely pass from Ali Juma left Mdeka with only the goalkeeper too beat but he shot wide.

Assad continued dominating the first half but could not crack Elites defence as the first half ended barren.

However, in the second half, a lovely solo run by Ochieng from deep in his half culminated in a goal that handed Elites maximum points.

Elites now move to seventh on the log, with 44 points, while SS Assad remain rooted at 14th place with 35 points.

Elsewhere in Muhoroni, the race for promotion to Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) took a new twist after Muhoroni Youth leapfrogged Fortune Sacco to second place in the National Super League (NSL) standings.

Muhoroni beat the visitors from Kirinyaga County 2-0 to move second on the log with 56 points from 31 matches.

They replace Fortune Sacco who drop to third on 54 points from 30 matches.

Administration Police Service (APS) Bomet lead the standings with 57 points from 29 matches.

At Muhoroni playing ground, Yusuf Ochibola and Abubakar Abu scored in the 19th and 85th minute respectively to ensure the hosts bagged all the three points. This was Muhoroni’s fourth win in a row.

They had earlier beaten Coastal Heroes 4-2 before they silenced Murang’a Seal 3-0 and overcame Vihiga United 2-0.

Man of the match Ochibola said that the victory came as a result of teamwork.

"The coach told us before the match to go and make an impact since we were playing at home. We played as a team for 90 minutes, an indication that we trained well,” said the promising attacker.

Fortune Sacco Coach Nicholas Omasete protested over what he termed as poor officiating.

“Nothing has changed, only that poor officiating is demoralising my players. I have faith that we will make it to the Premier League at the end of the season. Mark my words,” he said.

He further pointed out that, "Muhoroni Youth did not win because they were better than us, it is because they were favoured by match officials.”

The centre referee had denied the visitors two goals after they were ruled offside while the hosts scored the second goal from the spot.

Despite arriving at Muhoroni playing ground early, Fortune Sacco were denied access to the field for warm up as gates were locked.

In another match played at Bomet Stadium in Bomet County, Migori Youth held Shabana FC to a barren draw.

Following the draw, Shabana FC’s promotion chances are now slim since they are fifth on the table with 47 points, 10 behind league leaders.

In Nairobi, bottom-placed Dandora Love shared spoils with relegation threatened Coastal Heroes after a 2-2 draw at Camp Toyoyo grounds.

A match between League leaders APS Bomet and Zoo failed to take place at Kericho Green Stadium after the hosts boycotted the fixture citing a vacuum in the management of football activities in the country.