Mathare United forward Meshack Ochieno is optimistic that the former champions will not experience another relegation battle following their promotion to the top tier. The ambitious forward, who hopes to hit more than 20 goals in the new season, says the club can’t afford to drop to the second tier again. Mathare regained their Premier League status after staying in the National Super League for a season following their relegation from the top tier in the 2022/2023 season. They finished second in the 2023/2024 NSL season to book an automatic spot to the top tier.One of the biggest revelations and key players for the team in the NSL that helped them make a comeback to the Premier League was Ochieno, who netted 14 goals. Speaking, in an interview with club media, the youngster is now hoping to replicate the same form in the FKF Premier League and help his team stay in the league“I worked hard in the NSL and managed to score 14 goals in my debut season and that gave me so much joy. We also managed to gain promotion to the top tier which was the main objective and so it was a double blessing for me, ” he said. Ochieno hopes to take the top tier by storm in what will be his debut season. “I now look forward to even a better season in the FKF Premier League. It will be my debut season again but I have set myself a target of 20 goals which I hope to achieve if given the same opportunity and support from the technical bench and my teammates and that would be my contribution to help the team to achieve our objective of staying in the Premier League,” he stated. The lessons he picked in the second tier, he says, will go a long way in boosting his confidence and further, prepared him for life in the top tier. “NSL was tough, I learnt much and I want to thank my teammates and technical hench for the support,” he added. Like many other teams, Mathare have already resumed training at their MYSA base in preparation for the upcoming 2024/2025 FKF Premier League season
