NSL: Survival fight and promotion chase take center stage on Saturday

After three mouthwatering matches that ushered the year for the National Super League , the NSL continues on Saturday, 10 January, with two mouth-watering encounters on the card, as the battle for survival and promotion intensifies at opposite ends of the table.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

At Moi Stadium, a struggling Kisumu All Stars side will host promotion-chasing Fortune Sacco in a clash defined by contrasting ambitions but united by urgency, with both teams desperate to begin the new year on a positive note.

For Kisumu All Stars, the season has so far been a turbulent one.

The Kisumu-based outfit has endured a torrid campaign, managing just three wins from 15 league matches, a return that has left them firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.

Currently 18th on the standings with 13 points, All Stars sit just six points above bottom-placed Mwatate United, underlining the precarious position they find themselves in.

The Mozzart Bet-backed side enters the fixture on the back of a 3–1 defeat to Luanda Villa, a result that encapsulated their difficult start to both the season and the year.

Relief for FKF CEO as court order halts imminent sacking

With pressure mounting, head coach Duncan Otieno and his charges know that anything short of victory would further complicate their fight for survival.

Saturday’s encounter presents a crucial opportunity for Kisumu All Stars to reset their campaign.

Victory would see them rise to 16 points and potentially climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season, a psychological boost that could prove pivotal as the league enters a decisive phase.

Standing in their way, however, is a Fortune Sacco side brimming with confidence after a strong finish to 2025.

The Kirinyaga-based outfit enjoyed a remarkable late-year surge, going on a four-match unbeaten run that included three consecutive victories, emphatic 3–1 wins over FC Talanta and Mwatate United, a narrow 1–0 success against Soy United, and a goalless draw with Kibera Black Stars.

Those results propelled Fortune Sacco to fifth place on 25 points, just four adrift of leaders Migori Youth, firmly inserting them into the promotion conversation.

As the new year begins, the microfinance-backed side will be eager to pick up where they left off and further strengthen their push for a return to the top flight.

Nonetheless, Fortune will be keen to address their recent away form, having suffered defeats to Migori Youth and MOFA, alongside a draw against Kibera Black Stars.

A win in Kisumu would take them to 28 points, closing the gap to the summit to a single point and significantly boosting their promotion credentials.

With Kisumu All Stars fighting to escape the relegation mire and Fortune Sacco determined to keep pace at the top, the Moi Stadium showdown promises to be a fiercely contested affair.

Meanwhile, at Gusii Stadium, NSL debutants Gucha Stars will welcome Nairobi City Stars in another intriguing encounter that pits youthful ambition against seasoned pedigree.

Gucha Stars, enjoying their maiden season in the NSL, will be seeking their fifth league win after closing 2025 with four victories.

Under the guidance of Sammy Okoth, the Kisii-based side has shown resilience, particularly at home, and will be aiming to assert their dominance on familiar turf.

However, Gucha began 2026 on a subdued note, settling for a goalless draw against Darajani Gogo, and will be eager to register their first win of the year.

Why Nicholas Muyoti has ditched Nairobi United for Kenya Police FC

A positive result on Saturday would further cement their status as a competitive force in the division.

They face a stern test against Nairobi City Stars, who are determined to make amends following an inconsistent start to life back in the NSL.

After early struggles, Salim Babu’s side found rhythm towards the end of 2025, embarking on a seven-match unbeaten run that yielded four wins and three draws.

That resurgence saw City Stars climb to 22 points, ending the year just seven points off the summit and firmly back in the promotion conversation.

As they seek an immediate return to the FKF Premier League, the Kawangware-based outfit knows that any slip-ups in the business end of the season could prove costly.

Victory in Kisii would propel City Stars to 25 points, cutting the gap to league leaders Migori Youth to four and reigniting their title ambitions.

With Gucha Stars keen to prove they are no pushovers at home and City Stars desperate to close in on the promotion places, the Gusii Stadium clash is set to deliver another captivating chapter in the NSL’s unfolding drama.