Coach Mayoyo hopeful Nzoia will regroup and escape relegation

Junior Stars assistant coach Peter Mayoyo believes Nzoia Sugar FC will avoid relegation this season despite their poor start in the Premier League, and coach Godfrey 'Solo' Oduor.

Nzoia are currently last in the 18-team league after 16 rounds, despite their impressive form last season which saw them finish fourth.

The St. Anthony's Kitale Boys head coach is however adamant the Bungoma-based team has a chance to steady their ship and finish in a respectable position.

“They are in that unfortunate state because they lost key players at the beginning of the season, which has really affected them. They had to come up a makeshift squad for the first part of the season.

“Coupled with the exit of their head coach Salim Babu – the man behind last season’s project was a big blow.  I however believe that their win over KCB in the last fixture of the year 2023 was a true indication of the fighting spirit in the team,” said Mayoyo.

Babu left Nzoia to join Police FC as an assistant coach; while Boniface Munyendo, Humphrey Katasi, Ian Karani, and Moses Mwale – all first team players joined rival clubs.

As if there was a rush to exit the main Bungoma County pride of football, Chairman Evans Kadenge left the role at the end of 2022/23 season, another towering figure that had been pivotal to the stability of the team.

Kadenge retired saying he was handing over the button to the next generation, after many years at the halm.

The veteran tactician also has advised Nzoia to only go for upcoming talent in the mid-season transfer window, to avoid high financial demands.

“With the financial challenges they are experiencing as a team I think it will be wise to go for quality players but not of high wage demands. That can only be players who have just concluded their High School education are willing to take such opportunities,” stated the veteran tactician.

Nzoia will take on Bandari FC in their first match this year, at the Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa on Saturday.