Jacktone Onjala is a happy man after guiding his second club to earn a promotion to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League. The long-serving defender was part of the AFC Leopards team that gained elevation to top flight football in 2009 and is over the moon after skippering FC Talanta to their first-ever promotion.The Ken Kenyatta coached club has garnered an unassailable twelve-point gap with three matches to go and thus have sealed one of the two automatic slots.Onjala said he was elated to have helped two clubs ditch life in the second tier for top-flight one which players die to enjoy especially the young and upcoming ones.“I was among the players who inspired Leopards back to the league in 2009 and I am happy to have achieved the same with Talanta. Second-tier is always tough as most of the clubs go for power player which calls for one to be fit throughout,” said the defender.OfficialFC Talanta becomes the first team to earn promotion to the FKF Premier League. The second slot and the playoff spot still up for grabs.The return of the great coach Ken Kenyatta.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/EjxJooE5qb— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) August 24, 2021 Onjala joined Talanta at the start of the season from the defunct Ushuru alongside more than a dozen players who found a new home in the club after the former went under.He singled out the experience in the team and their resolve to get it right after coming close thrice while at Ushuru as their inspiration behind their promotion. Ushuru who were axed from the top flight in 2016 nearly made a comeback in three attempts but in all, failed in the final rounds of the season.“We had experienced players and the depth gave the technical bench options in all departments. The players were determined to get promoted as a large chunk missed out while at Ushuru while those who were with Talanta previously were hungry for success,” he said.Official: Ken Kenyatta’s FC Talanta becomes the first team to earn promotion to the FKFPL after finishing in 1st place with an unassailble 12 point lead with 3 matches to play in the NSLThe second slot and the third playoff spot are still up for grabs📸Courtesy#FKFPL #NSL pic.twitter.com/wf9rJ17aJV— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) August 24, 2021 Having played in the top flight before with Ushuru and Nairobi City Stars, Onjala who has Barrack Odhiambo as his assistant revealed that he was aiming at helping the club to develop firm roots in the elite league.“We don’t want to start life in top-flight then get relegated the same season. I want to help the club establish itself in the league,” he added.
