Migori Youth head coach Sammy Otulo has revealed plans to strengthen his squad by signing up to 10 new players during the current transfer window as the club targets a historic qualification to the SportPesa League.
Otulo welcomed the opening of the window, saying it offers the team a crucial opportunity to bolster their title push.
“We welcome the opening of the transfer window. Our target is to qualify for the top-tier league, and we are using this window to prepare for our maiden appearance,” said Otulo.
The tactician said Migori Youth hopes to join fellow Nyanza South sides Shabana FC and Mara Sugar in the top-flight league.
“Currently, we are on top of the log, and we are not going to surrender that position to any team. We have in the past missed a chance to qualify, and I believe this is our season. If we don’t qualify this season, then we would rather stop playing football,” he added.
Migori Youth’s lead at the summit was cut to two points following a 1-1 draw against newcomers Kabati Youth on Sunday. Despite the result, Otulo dismissed concerns, insisting his side deserved maximum points.
“It was a game we would have won by a huge margin, but luck was not on our side. We missed several chances and hit the upright four times,” he said.
Otulo attributed earlier losses to Michael Olunga Foundation Academy (MOFA), Nzoia Sugar, and Kibera Black Stars to the departure of key players Tyson Otieno, Godfrey Onyango, and Michael Okumu, who joined the Kenya Defence Forces last year.
Migori Youth also suffered an injury setback during the Kabati Youth match, with forward Fred Ologi ruled out for a month. Top scorer Syphas Otieno picked up a knock and is likely to miss the upcoming clash against Naivas FC.
“We now have an opportunity to replace those who have left and further add depth to the squad as we head into the second part of the season,” Otulo remarked.
Migori Youth tops the table with 30 points, two ahead of second-placed MOFA. MOFA missed the chance to go joint top after being held to a 1-1 draw by Equity Bank.
Embu County-based 3K FC sits third with 27 points despite suffering a 2-1 loss to Naivas FC, while Equity Bank is fourth, also on 27 points.
Mombasa United, coached by Gilbert Selebwa, dropped to eighth place following a 1-0 loss to Soy United and remain winless away from home.
On Monday, former FKF Premier League side Nzoia Sugar thrashed Darajani Gogo 4-1. Meanwhile, Gucha Stars striker Vincent Nyabuto moved joint top of the scorers’ chart after netting twice in a 2-2 comeback draw against Nairobi City Stars on Saturday.
Nyabuto now has 10 goals, the same tally as Migori Youth’s Syphas Otieno. Nairobi City Stars’ Joshua Amunike climbed to seven goals, while MOFA’s Laban Otieno also reached seven after scoring the equaliser in their draw with Equity Bank at Moi Stadium, Kisumu. The match marked the final game at the venue before its closure for rehabilitation.
by ANGWENYI GICHANA
