National Super League side Mara Sugar tactician Francis Xavier has lauded his charges for shrugging off their slow start to the season, a feat that has helped them occupy the second spot at the end of the first leg.

The Narok County-based side struggled for consistency this season, but a steady improvement in form has seen the turnaround of their fortunes capped by Sunday’s 3-1 drubbing of strugglers Mwatate United that saw them leapfrog Kibera Black Stars to the second seed.

In his assessment of the team’s progress in their sophomore season, Xavier attributed their ascendancy to consistency occasioned by the playing unit sticking together for an extended period.

“Well, if you asked me at the beginning of the season if we would be second at the end of the first leg, I would not believe you, but here we are.

“We have gotten better match by match and am positive we will strive to maintain that trajectory,” he said.

Xavier is also upbeat about their chances of challenging for the title, even though many deem his side as an outsider.

“I would be lying to you if I said we are not confident of going all the way this season.

We are halfway through the season, and our results are impressive. We want to challenge for the title, but we will stay grounded and realistic about our situation,” he reckoned.

Elsewhere top side Shabana suffered a setback to their title hunt following a 1-0 loss away to ninth-placed Kisumu All Stars, while promotion hopefuls Kibera Black Stars endured a shock 1-0 defeat by debutants Kajiado.

NSL Weekend Results

Kisumu All Stars 1-0 Shabana

Kajiado FC 1- 0 Kibera Black Stars

Murang’a Seal FC 3-0 Gusii FC

Mara FC 3-1 Mwatate United FC

Darajani Gogo FC 2-0 Silibwet FC

MCF 0-1 Migori Youth FC