No love lost as hunt for Nairobi East playoff slots kicks off

Rodgers Ndegwa

Grassroots football fans are in for a treat this weekend as three enticing Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Nairobi East League play-offs matches are scheduled at Jericho’s Camp Toyoyo grounds.

In the coveted Regional League, Uprising Youth FC will play host to visisting Korogocho Youth FC in a match that has got all the ingredients of a thriller.

In the early kick-off, Umlqura will battle it out against Bongonaya in the Sub-County play-offs as Ascec Huruma face-off with Hakati in the county play-offs.

All the three matches will be curtain-raised by the tie between FKF Branch Officials and FKF Club Officials.

Bongonaya come into the duel as favourites, having stunned their arch rivals Cyprus 3-0 in a one-sided match to book a slot in the play-offs. A win will, however, not be a walk in the park as their competitors are out to prove a point, having reached the play-offs after beating Deportivo Kahawa 1-0.

Both teams will be seeking a win that will help them romp into the County League and join the likes of Hope Sportive and Manji FC.

Meanwhile, after hammering Desert Stars 5-0 to book a date in the County final round, Huruma are confident of dispatching Hakati and joining the Regional League and realise their dream of playing in the National Division One League just three years since their inception.

Nairobi East secretary general Dickson Doyo is optimistic the financial challenges his organisation is facing will not affect the competitions. 

“We have had difficulties in running the different leagues under our branch but we are elated to have finally reached this stage of the competition. 

All teams are hoping win to proceed to the next tier and as an office, we wish them well,” Doyo told People Sports yesterday.