SS Assad finally ended their Coastal derby curse by defeating rivals Mombasa Stars 1-0 on Sunday, October 13, in a hard-fought NSL match at Serani Sports Complex.
This victory marks their first-ever second-division derby win against Mombasa Stars, with captain Ali Juma Pinda’s 17th-minute strike sealing the three points for Phelix Ogutu’s team.
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How SS Assad Claimed Their First Derby Win
The match started with Mombasa Stars taking control of the opening stages, creating several chances but failing to capitalize on them. Their inability to convert these opportunities came back to haunt them as SS Assad made the most of their first real chance.
In the 17th minute, captain Ali Juma Pinda picked up a loose ball in midfield and unleashed a powerful strike that flew past Stars’ goalkeeper Said Dhadho, giving SS Assad the lead. It was a moment of brilliance from Pinda, and his goal would ultimately be enough to secure the win for his team.
Despite the early setback, Mombasa Stars continued to push forward, searching for an equalizer. Said Abdulrahman came close to leveling the score at the half-hour mark, but his long-range effort sailed just wide of the target. Moments later, winger Ali Ghalib tested SS Assad goalkeeper Said Ngare, but his shot went narrowly over the bar.
As the game wore on, Mombasa Stars continued to dominate possession, but their finishing let them down. In the closing stages of the match, SS Assad’s defense stood firm, with defender Omar Khalfan making a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Masudi Chirunga a last-minute equalizer.
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Mombasa Stars’ Coach Laments Missed Chances
After the match, Mombasa Stars coach Mohammed ‘Madaga’ Hussein expressed his frustration at his team’s inability to convert their dominance into goals. “We dominated the game and created many chances, but we were unlucky in finishing. We need to work on our striking force moving forward,” Madaga said.
It was a case of missed opportunities for Stars, who have struggled to find form this season. With zero wins from their opening four games, they remain rooted at the bottom of the NSL standings.
SS Assad Coach Delighted with Victory
On the other hand, SS Assad head coach Phelix Ogutu was delighted with his team’s performance, particularly their resilience in holding onto the lead. “I’m happy we got the maximum points, especially since this is our first win against Mombasa Stars here in Mombasa. We scored early and maintained our focus. We are glad it paid off,” Ogutu said.
The victory lifts SS Assad to third place in the NSL table with nine points from four matches, putting them in a strong position early in the season.
Other NSL Results
Migori Youth 0-3 Samwest Blackboots:
In Migori, Samwest Blackboots earned their first win of the season with a convincing 3-0 victory over Migori Youth. Asewe Pate, Nehemiah Onchiri, and Billy Ndun’gu were on target for Blackboots, who moved up to 15th place in the standings with three points from four games.
Darajani Gogo 3-1 Nzoia Sugar:
At Vapor Grounds in Ngong, Darajani Gogo secured a commanding 3-1 win over Nzoia Sugar. Goals from Bramwel Chemweno, Elisha Owino, and Joshua Otieno sealed the victory for Darajani Gogo, while Ian Simiyu’s strike for Nzoia proved to be a mere consolation.
3K FC 2-1 MCF:
In Embu, NSL newcomers 3K FC continued their strong start to the season by defeating Mully Children Family (MCF) 2-1. Michael Macharia and Samuel Wahinya found the net for 3K FC, reclaiming the top spot in the standings. Markyll Ochirez scored MCF’s lone goal.
APS Bomet 0-0 Kibera Black Stars:
At Bomet IAAF Stadium, APS Bomet and Kibera Black Stars played out a goalless draw, with both teams unable to find the breakthrough. It was a closely contested match, but neither side could take advantage of their chances.
The NSL Table and What’s Next
Following these results, SS Assad’s victory propels them into third place on the NSL table with nine points, just behind league leaders 3K FC. Meanwhile, Mombasa Stars are still in search of their first win of the season and remain bottom of the standings.
As the season progresses, teams like Samwest Blackboots will be looking to build on their recent success, while Mombasa Stars and Migori Youth will need to regroup and improve if they are to climb the table.
With plenty of action still to come in the NSL, fans can expect more thrilling matches as teams battle for promotion and survival. For fans who want the best football predictions in Kenya, Jambobet remains the top choice for accurate insights and betting tips.
