Gucha Stars coach Sammy Okoth / FILE
Gucha Stars were promoted after court battles, but coach Sammy Okoth says they have now shifted their focus to the league.
"The frustrations are now behind us. It has not been easy for us as the Gucha Stars fraternity. The anxiety has really affected both the playing unit and the technical bench," noted the tactician.
He, however, said he is ready to face his former employers. "Following the confirmation of our promotion after our win against Nakuru Bucks, we were given a short window to sign players.
However, we did not sign any player because all the players we had identified had doubts about our promotion chances and signed for other clubs in the summer transfer window," noted the tactician.
He said he will use the players who helped the club qualify for the second-tier league. "These players fought for promotion to the NSL. They deserve to play, and I trust them to play well. They need to prove that we deserve to play in this league," noted the tactician. He, however, said he will beef up the squad in the mid-season transfer window in December/January.
The coach declined to talk about the team's targets in the league. "We didn't have a proper pre-season because of the uncertainties that surrounded our promotion. I want first to stabilise the team, then talk about our targets," noted Okoth.
Okoth previously guided Vihiga United and Shabana to the FKF Premier League. Commenting on their opening game against Vihiga, Okoth said he is looking forward to a positive result from his charges.
"Being our first match and playing at home, I have told the players to go for maximum points. We want to pick points in all our home games," he added.
Okoth appealed to well-wishers to support the club financially. Another newly promoted side, Soy United, will travel to Kisumu for a date with former FKF Premier League side Kisumu All Stars on Sunday. Kisumu All Stars sit bottom of the log without a point after two games.
After three rounds of games, Migori Youth leads the log with nine points, followed by Gilbert Selebwa's Mombasa United, also with the same number of points but with a worse goal difference.
Regular campaigners Naivas sit third with seven points, and Kibera Black Stars are fourth with six points same as Michael Olunga Foundation Academy (MOFA), and Nairobi City Stars.
NSL FIXTURES
Saturday
MOFA vs Darajani Gogo (Raila Odinga Stadium, Homa Bay)
MCF vs Migori Youth (MCF Complex, Ndalani)
3K FC vs Mombasa United (Moi Stadium, Embu)
Equity Bank FC vs Fortune Sacco (Vapour Grounds, Ngong)
Naivas FC vs Mwatate United (KIHBT Grounds, Ngong)
Sunday
Nairobi City Stars vs Kibera Black Stars (Vapour Grounds, Ngong)
Nzoia Sugar vs FC Talanta (Sudi Stadium, Bungoma)
Luanda Villa vs Kabati Youth (Mumboha Grounds, Luanda).
