Mulembe United could have eased their relegation worries when Luanda Villa visited their home turf- the Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday but Villa, already safe from the chop and just hovering about in the mid-table, chose to make things tough for their regional siblings- forcing a barren stalemate. With both Mombasa Elite and Kajiado FC winning their respective fixtures on the same weekend, United’s draw with Villa further complicated their quest to stay safe and maintain a National Super League (NSL) slot. They still, however, have three more matches they can bank on and considering the momentum Edward Manoah’s men have picked in their last five outings, plenty of hope resides here. Johnstone Muyesu is one of the longest-serving players in the team, from way back when it went by the name Vihiga United and played all the way from the fourth tier up to the premiership. The mid-season overhaul by Coach Manoah spared him and a half a dozen other players who have since turned fortunes for the side as far as matters of relegation are concerned. Though admitting the improvements took long, it is worth it Muyesu says. ‘’In the first leg even training was an issue. We would sometimes just go for matches having not trained at all. You cannot win matches like that. The changes were necessary I think and currently, even though we are not safe yet, one can see that we are playing well. Players adhere to training even if three or four times a week and the results also show,’’ the full-back says. Alongside other long-serving names in the team like Patrick Okello, Amos Kigadi and Dennis Ombeva, the full-back further says that they had to be patient in order to find their footing in the second half of the campaign. With the league on, time was required before Coach Manoah found the perfect blend in his side and despite not having enough depth even after the overhaul, results have turned positive in the last quarter. PLAYER RATINGS: Olunga fires blanks as Harambee Stars hold African Champions Ivory CoastMuyesu himself, featuring in nearly all the games so far, doesn’t feel his energy reserves depleted just yet. The three remaining fixtures will either spell doom for United or a chance to regroup and aim at top flight promotion once again. “We are mostly advised by the technical staff to focus on the remaining games however badly the results go in some matches. There are off-field struggles with finances but these occasionally are handled by chairman Kahi Indimuli. He has stood with us at the very lowest and it will be rewarding to survive and plan for the next,’’ continues Muyesu who at some point, did loan spells at Vihiga Sportiff and Soy United. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8154653##Having dropped points against Gilbert Selebwa’s Luanda Villa, Mulembe United three remaining fixtures lie in wait; their most important contests of the season. They’ll host SS Assad in Mumias in their next contest before traveling to Machakos to take on MCF FC. A final day away trip to Mombasa Elite-themselves relegation-threatened, will aMulembe United could have eased their relegation worries when Luanda Villa visited their home turf- the Mumias Sports Complex on Saturday but Villa, already safe from the chop and just hovering about in the mid-table, chose to make things tough for their regional siblings- forcing a barren stalemate. Injuries took a toll on Rakow Czestochowa’s season – MarceloWith both Mombasa Elite and Kajiado FC winning their respective fixtures on the same weekend, United’s draw with Villa further complicated their quest to stay safe and maintain a National Super League (NSL) slot. They still, however, have three more matches they can bank on and considering the momentum Edward Manoah’s men have picked in their last five outings, plenty of hope resides here. Johnstone Muyesu is one of the longest-serving players in the team, from way back when it went by the name Vihiga United and played all the way from the fourth tier up to the premiership. The mid-season overhaul by Coach Manoah spared him and a half a dozen other players who have since turned fortunes for the side as far as matters of relegation are concerned. Though admitting the improvements took long, it is worth it Muyesu says. ‘’In the first leg even training was an issue. We would sometimes just go for matches having not trained at all. You cannot win matches like that. The changes were necessary I think and currently, even though we are not safe yet, one can see that we are playing well. Players adhere to training even if three or four times a week and the results also show,’’ the full-back says. Alongside other long-serving names in the team like Patrick Okello, Amos Kigadi and Dennis Ombeva, the full-back further says that they had to be patient in order to find their footing in the second half of the campaign. With the league on, time was required before Coach Manoah found the perfect blend in his side and despite not having enough depth even after the overhaul, results have turned positive in the last quarter. Muyesu himself, featuring in nearly all the games so far, doesn’t feel his energy reserves depleted just yet. The three remaining fixtures will either spell doom for United or a chance to regroup and aim at top flight promotion once again. ‘’We are mostly advised by the technical staff to focus on the remaining games however badly the results go in some matches. There are off-field struggles with finances but these occasionally are handled by chairman Kahi Indimuli. He has stood with us at the very lowest and it will be rewarding to survive and plan for the next,’’ continues Muyesu who at some point, did loan spells at Vihiga Sportiff and Soy United. Having dropped points against Gilbert Selebwa’s Luanda Villa, Mulembe United three remaining fixtures lie in wait; their most important contests of the season. They’ll host SS Assad in Mumias in their next contest before traveling to Machakos to take on MCF FC. A final day away trip to Mombasa Elite-themselves relegation-threatened, will arguably decide United’s fate.
