Premier League hopefuls Naivas FC saw the occupants of the National Super League (NSL) top position, Mara Sugar FC earn automatic promotion into the top flight, and be a position the former held on to for a better part of the first leg of the season, it can be a little hard to take. Sponsored by the retail chain Naivas supermarket, the Charles Omondi-coached side however, with three matches still to go before the season ends, still have a chance to make their maiden premier league appearance. All they have to do is win all the three contests and give their all in the promotion play-offs. Striker Derrick Anami says the mood in the camp has never been more hopeful.‘’We understand the position we are in as a team and that’s why we don’t want to drop any points at this time of the season. Everyone believes we will make it in the remaining three matches and constant work is being done,’’ reveals the former Zoo FC forward. Brian Mandela set to leave Mamelodi SundownsNaivas has in its ranks a handful of seasoned players- most of them top tier material and in the event of a play-off to decide their fate, can very well match up to any premier league opposition that will be fated to face them. Anami, himself with premiership experience, understands this. ‘’The unit consists mostly of players that have had a taste of the premier league so the hunger for a return there is unmatched. These are however two different leagues and when God-willing we make it to the play-offs, we will have to approach our opponents differently there,’’ he continues. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8154647##Omondi’s side boasts of such names as Posta Rangers trio of Francis Nambute, Eliud Lokuwam and Chrispinus Onyango (all on loan) and a few more as former Bidco United man David Orem and Sammy Ggolola who played with Anami at Zoo. Having played well and topped the NSL table standings up to the mid-season, Anami attributes the drop to a plethora of injuries that hit their camp.‘’I personally just returned from injury. I was never part of the team when the second leg began and there were others out too. This could be part of the reason. The NSL can be unforgiving too in terms of officiating and there are matches we can confidently say didn’t go our way because of dubious calls by the match stewards,’’ he continues. Setting all of these behind, Naivas set their eyes on the away trip to already relegated Silibwet Leons. They will then host Gusii before making the final day trip to SS Assad.
