NSL PREVIEW: Migori seek redemption as promotion and survival battles intensify

After a pulsating return to action that ushered in the new year last weekend, the National Super League resumes on Saturday, 17 January, with three intriguing fixtures set to kick-start Round 17.

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At the summit of the standings, league leaders Migori Youth will be under pressure to rediscover their winning touch when they host an in-form Naivas FC, following a frustrating start to 2026.

Migori were held to goalless draw by debutants Kabati Youth FC, marking the third time this season they have dropped points at home, a trend that has slightly dented their title charge.

The Migori-based outfit are enduring their worst run of the campaign, having gone three matches without a win, and any further slip-up could see them surrender top spot.

They currently lead the standings on 30 points, just two ahead of Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) and three clear of 3K FC, leaving little margin for error.

Despite the mounting pressure, head coach Sammy Otulo struck a calm and measured tone ahead of the clash.

“It’s a normal phase in football. We had our moments earlier and went on one of the best runs in the league. A torrid spell like this only demands that we step up and respond positively,” Otulo said.

“There will always be talk of pressure, but we are not worried. The league is highly competitive and we believe we are still on course.”

Migori’s task, however, has been complicated by the absence of influential forward Fredrick Ologi, who sustained a fracture to his left foot against Kabati and is sidelined until mid-March, a significant blow to their title ambitions.

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Standing in their way is a resurgent Naivas FC, who could not have asked for a better start to the year.

The retailers stunned hosts 3K FC with a 2-1 victory, a result that marked back-to-back wins following a gruelling seven-match winless run.

Coach Elvis Ayani will be eager to make it three consecutive victories as Naivas seek to reignite their promotion push, which has narrowly eluded them over the past two seasons.

A Migori victory would take them to 33 points and open a five-point cushion at the top, while a Naivas win would lift them to 25 points, cutting the gap to just five and firmly inserting them into the promotion conversation.

Meanwhile, at the Mashuru Complex in Kajiado, another captivating encounter awaits as Equity Bank FC host fellow debutants Gucha Stars.

Equity enter the round winless in their last two outings and will be eager to leverage their formidable home form, having recorded six wins from eight home matches this season.

Coach John Mbenzo's charges sit just five points behind Migori and know that maximum points could significantly narrow the gap should the leaders falter elsewhere.

However, they face a stern test against a confident Gucha Stars side enjoying a three-match unbeaten run, one of their best sequences since joining the league.

Under the guidance of Sammy Okoth, Gucha will be keen to stretch that run to four matches as they aim to secure their top-flight status.

Victory for Equity would take them to 28 points and cement their place in the promotion race, while a Gucha win would lift them to 22 points, with two games in hand, a platform for a potential surprise push.

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Elsewhere, relegation fears loom large at the Ndalani Complex in Machakos, where Mully Children Family (MCF) host struggling Vihiga United. MCF come into the tie on the back of consecutive defeats and sit 16th, just one place above the drop zone.

Vihiga United, placed second from bottom on 12 points, are equally desperate to halt their poor run and revive a faltering campaign.

With both sides in dire need of maximum points, a tense and fiercely contested encounter is expected as survival instincts take centre stage.