•The Nairobi Club-based outfit also have high hopes of soon being promoted to the top tier when curtains come down on the second-tier league season.
•Kongonis will, nevertheless, wait for the outcome of the eagerly anticipated match between third-placed Ngara Sports Club ‘A’ and neighbours Samaj ‘B’ at Cutchi Leva ground to know their fate.
Image: HANDOUT
Long-time leaders Kenya Kongonis ‘A’ believe their dreams of clinching the 2023 Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association (NPCA) Division 1 League are still valid despite a weekend of decisive action.
The Nairobi Club-based outfit also have high hopes of soon being promoted to the top tier when curtains come down on the second-tier league season.
With an apparently insatiable appetite for success, Kongonis signed off from the 10-team division with a convincing 7-wicket victory over Stray Lions ‘B’ last weekend to cling to the top of the log.
Kongonis will, nevertheless, wait for the outcome of the eagerly anticipated match between third-placed Ngara Sports Club ‘A’ and neighbours Samaj ‘B’ at Cutchi Leva ground to know their fate.
Should Ngara ‘A’ emerge victorious in this match, they will tie on 46 points with Kongonis and the title chase will be down to a run-rate difference.
In the meantime, Kongonis captain Thomas Ojijo is keeping his fingers crossed as his teammates await the result of the Samaj vs. Ngara encounter with bated breath.
He commented: “Yes, we are all eager to see if Ngara Sports Club will beat Samaj and if this happens, then the title race will boil down to the run-rate difference.”
Ojijo said his teammates are constantly exploring the much-needed match-winning tactics and aren’t afraid to take risks in order to achieve their goals.
“All in all, I’m glad the boys have played their hearts out throughout the season and kudos goes to them for their sacrifice and hard training. They are all agog about Sunday’s outcome.”
Ojijo holds the opinion that Kongonis are better placed to lift the coveted trophy, given their scintillating away record and indeed not losing any of their second-leg games.
Back to runp-rate dynamics; the weekend’s scenerio might as well turn out to be a tall order for Ngara ‘A’ who are seeking a comeback to Super League status. Ngara are not taking the Samaj match lightly as it holds the key to elite status. Ngara’s top order for Sunday’s match is likely to feature Vishal Shikotra, Nikul Patel and Captain Mantham Joshi.
Parth Patel, Mehul Patel, Dhyey Patel and Amitkumar Shukla are also expected to feature prominently for the run-hungry Ngara side.
Kongonis players, on the other hand, know what it means to grace the highest level and they’ll have to start on a clean slate in Division One should their spirited campaign come a cropper this Sunday.
Second placed Kanbis ‘B’ were out of contention when they wrapped up their run with a 44 points tally, two ahead of Ngara who have a match at hand.
So, to beat Kongonis to the title, Ngara ‘A’ need to bat first and score 300 against Samaj, then get them under 140. If they score 250, Ngara will need to get Samaj under 80. Rightly so, if Ngara manage to rack up 200, then they’ll need to get Samaj out under 30, which should be a tall order for them. In another Division One match, hosts Goan Institute ‘A’ will take on Swamibapa ‘B’ also on Sunday.
The Goans hope to move a berth up to sixth, where they stand a chance from the run rate difference should they decimate Swamibapa ‘B’.
A win for Goan will mean the Pangani side equals Stray Lions B’s 28 points mark hence the run rate rule.
Weekend Fixtures
NPCA Division Two
Obuya Academy B vs. Legends Cricket Team
NPCA Division One
Goan Institute ‘A’ vs Swamibapa ‘B’ (Gi)
Ngara Sports Club “A” vs SCLPS YL ‘B’ (Cutchi Leva Ground)
Top 5 Div One League Standings
1. Kongonis A 46 (NRR 1.621)
2. Kanbis B 44 (NRR1.111)
3. Ngara Sc A 42 (NRR 1.434)
4. Sclps Yl B 32 (NRR 0.996)
5. Swamibapa B 32 (NRR 0.302)