© Ibrahim Chepkwony/ Mara Sugar
© Ibrahim Chepkwony/ Mara Sugar

NSL: Blow to Mara Sugar with quintet ruled out of Mombasa Elite showdown

Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 09.11.23. | 13:37

Mara Sugar currently ranks third on fourteen points one behind the automatic promotion slots after four wins, two draws, and two defeats from the initial eight games

Mara’s promotion credentials will face the sternest possible test on Saturday when they host Mombasa Elite who are smarting after playing out a barren draw last weekend in the Coast Derby.

The Millers who have failed to win their last three games have however been dealt a blow ahead of the must-win match for the newly appointed coach Vincent Nyaberi after five starters were declared unfit for the crunch fixture.

The developments come at a time when the Sugar Men are missing the services of prolific goal scorer Mohammed Baraza who picked up an injury in the first game of the season and is out of action until January 2024.

And, when the club thought it could get better, they were hit with a fresh injury concern with key midfielder Robert Obaga, who had filled in perfectly the void left by Baraza, was stretched off in the 29th minute against Mulembe United as he suffered a dyspnea and is set to sit out of the weekend action.

Centre-back Joseph Okwenda is also grappling with injury troubles as he sat out of the weekend thumping at Mulembe with an ankle problem sustained during the Millers 2-0 loss to Mathare United.

Midfielder David Owino and defender Erick Ng’iela have also been sidelined with ankle and dislocated arm setbacks respectively. The club, however, noted that Owino is expected to miss one match before he is assessed for forthcoming league games.

Ng’iela continues his recovery from a dislocated arm injury and is expected back in four weeks, while Robert Obaga steadily making progress in his rehabilitation efforts, focusing on return-to-play exercises.

Despite the setbacks, Mara assistant coach Godfrey Naibei has hinted that the team’s spirit remains high, and preparations are underway as they aim to bounce back to winning ways and push toward their season targets.

We have a few injury concerns but that is not limiting us going into the next match, we have a very competitive squad that is able to compete and get us good results,” he said.

Mara Sugar currently ranks third on fourteen points one behind the automatic promotion slots after four wins, two draws, and two defeats from the initial eight games.

National Super League Weekend Fixtures

Saturday

Mathare United vs MCF FC - Utalii Grounds (1500)

Nairobi United vs Vihiga Bullets - Kasarani Annex (1500)

Kisumu All Stars vs Dimba Patriots - Moi Stadium (1500)

Mara Sugar vs Mombasa Elite - Awendo Green Stadium (1300)

Darajani Gogo vs Kajiado FC - Hope Centre (1500)

Kibera Black Stars vs Gusii FC - Vapor Grounds (1500)

Sunday

Migori Youth vs SS Assad - Awendo Green Stadium (1300)

Rainbow FC vs Mulembe United - Vapor Grounds (1500)

Silibwet FC vs Luanda Villa - Bomet IAAF Stadium (1300)

Mombasa Stars vs Naivas FC - Mbaraki Sports Club (1500)



tags

Mara Sugar FCNational Super League (NSL)

Other News