Muhoroni youth line up before kick off. They were relegated at the end of last season. [performgroup.com]
Muhoroni Youth has their eyes set on an immediate return to the Kenyan Premier League following their relegation last season.
The sugar belt side that got axed alongside Western Stima in the close of the 2017 season, has already embarked on serious preparations with the aim of coming back up at the first time of asking.
A 30-man squad has been assembled with the sole aim of making a comeback under coach Jeff Odongo. Muhoroni had gone to court to appeal their relegation from KPL, terming it unprocedural but the Kisumu High Court threw out the case on Monday, saying it lacked basis and now the team is set on living in the second tier.
“We are moving on well with preparations and we do not want any distractions. Yes the team suffered a lot after relegation but we remain optimistic that we have the ability to get promoted which is our priority,” said the former Agro-Chemical tactician.
Odongo has identified Western Stima who had good moments in the KPL before everything went south last year as the team that will give them a run for their money in the National Super League (NSL).
“To be honest, our biggest stumbling block will be Western Stima because of the experience they have. They have a good group and have spruced up well not to mention their technical bench is full of quality.
However, I am confident in my boys and I am sure we will deliver for the community who have supported us all through,” added Odongo.
Muhoroni’s relegation hit them hard, as they lost four of their top players in midfielders Maxwell Onyango (Chemelil), Collins Agade (Bandari), Kennedy Rono (Kakamega Homeboyz) and Paul Muchika (Tusker) and they have responded by going for untested talent from secondary schools in Alex Abok from Homa Bay Boys, Simon Opiso (Awasi Boys), Peter Kamau (Thurgem High School) and Regan Okeke (Awasi Boys) as well as two from county leagues. “It is obvious there are gaps which we will continuously work to fix.