B. OdhiamboTalking points from National Super League round three matches
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 02.10.23. | 10:12
Darajan Gogo will have to wait longer to taste their first victory in the new season
Mathare United and Kisumu All Stars were among the eye-catching performers of round three of the National Super League that concluded last weekend.
A lot happened last weekend including Mulembe United's first win since rebranding. The Samuel Twago-coached side beat MCF 2-1 at the Mumias Sport Complex.
Goals from Ishmael Kaduka and Kepha Ondati got the job done for Mulembe who operated as Vihiga United last season.
While Mulembe had reprieve, Darajani Gogo and a host of other clubs will have to wait longer for first wins of the campaign.
Gogo who had a pretty decent debut term last season fell 2-0 to Mathare United at the Hope Centre.
Here are other highlights of round three:
Mombasa Stars end derby winless jinx
A new name and a new record is the tale of Mombasa Stars after the club humbled SS Assad 3-1 courtesy of Brian Moraya's brace and Ramadhan Salim strike that ended their winless run over bitter rivals Assad.
Against all odds, Mombasa, ended Assad's unbeaten run of ten games.
The win also saw them bag maximum points for the first time in the season, ending their four-game winless streak.
Huge wins for Naivas and Kisumu All Stars
The two sides had a weekend to remember after easing past opponents to gather maximum points.
All Stars, who had not won any game this season, thrashed noisy neighbors Migori Youth 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Nigerian forward Michael Karamor.
In Machakos, Naivas who are under the tutelage of Collins Omondi annihilated Silibwet Leons to move top of the second tier standings.
Robert Karisa's hat-trick, a brace from Eliud Lokuwam and a goal from Geoffrey Onjuati saw Naivas pick the biggest win of the season.
Where are the fans?
It seems all the hype around the NSL went with Shabana when they climbed the ladder to the top flight.
Since the promotion of the Glamour Boys, teams have normalized playing in nearly empty grounds.
One ringing reason for the low turn out in the second tier games is the little publicity the matches are given starting from Football Kenya Federation to the clubs themselves.
Mathare United, Mara Sugar extend unbeaten runs
Leonard Odipo and his Mathare United side have been significantly better since the start of the season, going unbeaten and securing crucial victories against tough opponents.
And it was this newfound winning mentality that helped Mathare see off Darajani who have endured a tough time failing to win in three games and now sit deep into relegation zone.
The Slum Boys, who are now three games without dropping maximum points, find themselves third with 7 points.
In Awendo, Francis Xavier's men beat Kibera Black Stars 2-0 at the Awendo Green Stadium.
The victory was Mara's second in a row a performance that places them second, joint on points with Naivas.
