Despite Nairobi City Stars having to navigate through a tricky off-season window that saw the club lose its more experienced players, exciting forward cum winger Mohammed Bajaber is convinced that the notable increase in quality could see them challenge for the FKF Premier League title in the upcoming season.With their highest ever finish in the league, fifth place finish last term, City Stars will have to tackle the new season with a core of young signings, among them Samuel Kapen, Clifford Otieno and Newton Ochieng’ after laying off majority of their stalwarts including Sven Yidah, Salim Abdalla, Nicholas Kipkirui and Michael Madoya. The 19 year old loan signing from Starfield Academy however believes that the groundwork has been laid for a better season this term.##NAJAVA_MECA_6716620## “I have a great feeling that we can challenge for the title. I understand all the change that has happened but based on what I see from the guys around and especially those who’ve just joined, the quality and the hunger in the team has just gone up.” Bajaber noted in an interview with Mozzart Sport.The first glimpse of the budding squad has also tickled head coach Nicholas Muyoti’s fantasies, as he oversaw them push through to the Elite Preseason Cup finals a little over two weeks ago, losing only one game over their five games played – “I believe we have better quality than we did last season. The new guys are not as experienced but from what I’ve seen, we have the capability to challenge for the league. The indicators so far point to a promising direction as the boys will gradually show improvement.” Muyoti said straight after the preseason tournament defeat to Kenya Police.The lack of top level experience does not bother Bajaber as he admits to the hard grafting by the team behind the scenes – “The most important thing about the new signings is that they are so good that you have to improve yourself and work harder to retain your spot. Playing in different positions now means I have someone on my back waiting to pounce on any mistake. Spending more hours in the gym is the only way to keep up. This healthy competition builds a really good team. I believe that every winning team must offer competition.”Bajaber basking in pride after earning maiden league startBajaber, who will fight for a starting role with Kapen and Oliver Maloba also attributes his high level of optimism to the presence of old savvy heads that set the tone in the team:“We have great guides in the team [referring to Anthony Kimani, Ezekiel Odera and Peter Opiyo] who have to an extent offered us a cheat-code on how to navigate Kenyan football. I always try to stick close to them and learn much because they are good examples on the field. With them, we get to be composed and focused on the goal.”Bajaber also credits the coaching staff for being tactically sound and always being there to correct mistakes, either on the pitch or when analyzing tapes, an important piece he notes that will spur them to success.Having trialed with the U20 and U23 national team squads, Bajaber’s biggest moment in his young career would be to turn out for the Harambee Stars when international football resumes in the country, a target motivating him to perform well this season.
