National Super League (NSL) second-leading goal scorer Robert Karisa Ponda is eyeing a quick return to the FKF Premier League and bagging the league’s Golden Boot at the end of the season.Ponda has enjoyed his maiden season in the second tier after making a move from Division One outfit Ruiru Hotstars at the start of the campaign.##NAJAVA_MECA_7950827##His steady rise in form has seen the striker bag ten goals and further assisting six times in 22 matches he has turned out for the Retailers.Ponda had a brief stint with Sofapaka at the start of the 2022/2023 campaign though lack of playing time saw him switch to Ruiru where he emerged the club’s top scorer and third in the league with 15 goals.The Coast-bred attacker believes that his form and other players in the club are enough to hand Naivas their first-ever taste of top-flight football at the end of the season, though says “We are currently focusing on the second leg matches then we can evaluate ourselves at the end of the season.”He is adamant that his exploits in the last two seasons -25 goals and counting- are enough bait for top-tier football either with the 2020/2021 NSL Champions or any other potential suitors.“It’s our role as strikers to score goals for the team to achieve its ambition, and at the moment the Naivas forward line is doing great it’s our deep desire to emerge top of the table at the end of the season but now our focus is on tackling each match at a time,” he stated.“My goal is to get minutes in the FKF Premier League, having played in all the football structures in the country, I feel the time is ripe for a stint with the big boys, I am ready now than last time out, the stats speak for themselves,” added the 21-year-old striker.NSL: Ponda sets lofty targets after opening league goal’s accountDespite trailing former Mara Sugar striker now with KCB Philemon Nyakwaka by six goals in the top scorers’ chart, Ponda is confident he has what it takes to fade competition from other attackers in Henry Omolo of Nairobi United and Joshua Ratemo of Gusii and ran away with the Golden Boot.“Currently, I am happy with my positive contribution, which is helping the team and I am looking forward to improving more, the second leg started days ago and I believe the more matches I play the more chances of scoring therefore I will not relent until the award is home,” stated the striker.Ponda is also keen on securing a representative before the next transfer window noting that they play an important role in players’ development as it gives them more time to work on their shortcomings while the agents manage transfers.“I am not contracted to any agency and it is a humble plea to anyone out there that may get interested in lending a supporting hand to reach out since I want to concentrate entirely on football.”He will have a chance to add to his tally on Saturday when Naivas take on Mombasa Stars at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.Former Homeboyz and SoNy Sugar midfielder returning after two-year hiatus
