The biggest change to last season's format comes in the two lower leagues, the Chairman's and the Nationwide. The two have been merged to form the Nation wide league and has been split into four mini leagues based on regions. Nairobi, Central, Rift valley, Western and the Coast. Nairobi has the largest number of teams in its league at 13, followed by Western with 12 sides, Coast with 10, Central and Rift valley have 9 teams each.
The format is as follows, the sides in the same region will play against each other in a one off round robin league. The top eight sides from Nairobi will play in one off quarter finals, then semi finals, from which the top two sides will qualify for the Nationwide play off. The same will occur in Western meaning the two regions will provide four teams in the play offs.
For Central, Rift Valley and Coast the top four sides from each region will play in a one off semi final culminating in a regional final that will see the winner from Central and Coast progress to the Nationwide play offs. They will be joined by the runner up from Rift valley to complete the list of 8. The Nationwide play offs will also be a one off affair from the quarter finals, eventually giving us a Nation wide champion and runner up both of whom will be promoted to the Kenya Cup.
Complicated I know, but you will get the hang of it, here are the opening fixtures from the Nationwide :
Nationwide (Kick Off 3pm):
Nairobi Region
TUK vs Oryx - (UoN)
Catholic vs Brumbies - (CUEA)
KCA vs Impala III - (KCA)
USIU vs MKU - (USIU)
MMU vs KEMU - (MMU)
Nazarene vs COMRAS - (Nazarene)
Daystar - Rest
Western Region
Bungoma vs Mt.Kenya Kisumu - (Kandunyi Stadium)
Kakamega vs Homabay - (Kakamega High School)
Masinde Muliro vs Shieywe - (Masinde Muliro)
Webuye vs Busia - (Webuye DEB)
Maseno vs Siaya - (Maseno Uni)
Kabras vs Kisii - (Kakamega Showground)
Rift valley Region
Kabarak vs Nakuru III - (Kabarak Uni)
Moi Uni vs Molo - (Postponed)
Kericho vs Naivasha - (Kericho TC)
Eldoret Uni vs Kitale - (UoE)
Egerton - Rest
Coast Region
Spartans vs Malindi - (4 pm, MSC)
Stormers vs Coast Raiders - (Blue Triangle Village)
Pwani Uni vs Shepherds - (Pwani Uni)
Taita Taveta Uni vs SC Pirates - (Taita Taveta Uni)
TUM vs Masaku - (2pm, MSC)
Central Region
KEMU vs Karatina - (KEMU, Meru)Embu vs Chuka - (Embu Uni)
Thika vs Laikipia - (Thika Sports Club)
JKUAT vs Kiambu - (JKUAT)
Some interesting match ups lined up in the first weekend, in Nairobi, the 2012/13 Chairman's league champions Catholic begin their Nationwide campaign against new side Brumbies at their backyard. The Comras will look to build on an impressive debut season as they kick off their charge against Nazarene.
The Western region will see Kakamega RFC that played in last season's ESS start their Nationwide campaign against Homabay, they will be looking to make the experience they gained from last season show here. Masinde Muliro, quarter finalists in last season's Nationwide, will be up against new boys Shieywe as Kabras sugar will be looking to transfer some of the sevens mojo to the 15s when they face Kisii RFC
Last season's Nationwide runners up Egerton will start this campaign with a rest weekend, as Kabarak will be taking on Nakuru III in the Rift region. Masaku will be looking to keep the growth curve going as they travel to Mombasa to face TUM to open their second season in the league. Stormers also in their second stint will be upagainst the Coast Raiders.
Thika will welcome Laikipia to the Thika Sports Club as the hosts look to improve on last season where they were knocked out at the semi final stage of the Chairman's league. Embu will take on Chuka in a battle of the debutants in central region.
It is really exciting to see all these new sides join the league, as much as the union has come under fire for many things. This is one of those areas they deserve all the praise. It will be interesting to see how the new sides cope and though they might be on the receiving end of some big scores, it will be all part of the learning curve.
Also notable to see is the participation of the third string sides from the big clubs, i.e Impala and Nakuru III. Providing a great development pathway for the upcoming players into the first team.
It is bound to be an exciting season ahead in the Nationwide, keep it here as we preview and review the thrills, spills and big hits...
KWISHA....Nimeruka Nje!!!!
P.S Are you following @Osb_ke on twitter, and have you liked Odd Shaped Balls Kenya on Facebook?
Great stuff. Hope the clubs will be able to be self sustainable.....i now most of the University sides will do well. Am sure there is an Ofafa out there waiting to join Kenya Cup and teach the big boys a lesson or two.
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