With Western Stima being one of the last Kisumu-based sides in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), head coach Abdalla Juma is eager to ensure their stay in the league to maintain the pride of the City.In recent seasons a number of Kisumu sides have suffered relegation from the Premier League with Nyanza region clubs also suffering a similar fate due to the dying sugar industries that sponsored a number of clubs.Chemelil Sugar, Sony Sugar, Muhoroni Youth are some of the clubs that have suffered relegation from the top-flight in recent seasons, leaving the Nyanza region with only Western Stima flying the flag of the region in the Premier League.
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Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Juma intimated that securing a slot in the league next season is important to salvage the dying hopes of Kisumu clubs in the top tier. “With Western Stima the only Kisumu based side left in the Premier League that is extra motivation to ensure that the team survives in the league and we are trying so much to achieve safety even if it means through the playoffs,”“Our last game is against Mathare and I wish we could be granted permission to have fans in the stadium because I know the people of Kisumu will turn out in large numbers to support us,” said Juma.Stima are currently occupying the Relegation/Promotion slot and are two points from safety with two games to go that includes Wazito and Mathare United who are also fighting for their lives.
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Stima has been a conveyor belt for talent in Kisumu with a number of clubs including Gor Mahia constantly signing players from the team, Juma is keen to see the club continuing to offer talents from the region a platform in the top flight. “Stima is one of the few clubs that promote regional talents and we have given the boys from Kisumu a platform because most of them are talented and we would not want to take that away from them,”“If we do survive which I’m confident we will, next season will be different, we do not want to be in the same position again. I know if I get a good pre-season with the boys we will play quality football,” added Juma.
