Forwards signed from the National Super League (NSL) have, in recent years, struggled to make a mark in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) despite earning dream moves to the top tier.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsWhile many of these promising strikers have quietly returned to the second division or dropped even lower, others have had to switch positions in an attempt to stay afloat at the elite level.But that has not been the case for the 2023 NSL Golden Boot winner, Beja Nyamawi.##NAJAVA_MECA_9014509##The lethal forward, who netted 20 goals for SS Assad, earned a high-profile move to Bandari FC, a deal that came just a year after his rise to prominence.Now a full international with the Harambee Stars, Nyamawi has continued his fine form at Bandari, scoring double-digit goals for the Ken Odhiambo-coached side.He says his preparation before making the jump to top-flight football made all the difference.Harambee Stars striker reveals why AFC Leopards move collapsedNyamawi revealed that he was well aware of the struggles many former NSL hitmen had faced in adapting to the demands of top-tier football, and for that reason, he committed himself to an intense personal training routine even before he sealed his move.“When I signed for Bandari, I already knew it wouldn’t be easy. A lot of strikers who came from the NSL had struggled in the Premier League. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9015824##So, I decided to work extra hard and stick to the training routines that helped me succeed at Assad,” he told Mozzart Sport.“At Assad, I trained alone, extended training hours, and did a lot of personal drills. That didn’t stop when I joined Bandari. In fact, I intensified it because I knew the Premier League would be much tougher.”FKF releases kick off dates for 2025/2026 Kenyan football leaguesDespite his goal tally reflecting success, Nyamawi admits the transition was not without struggle.“To be honest, it has been difficult. If you look at my goals and the types of goals I’ve scored, you can see it’s taken a lot of sacrifice. But I’m committed to keep going.”Nyamawi’s story is a bright spot in a long list of NSL strikers whose top-flight journeys have fizzled out.##NAJAVA_MECA_9013130##Among those who earned moves but struggled to replicate their second-tier form are Elly Saenyi, who scored 26 goals before joining Ulinzi Stars; Clinton Okoth, who hit 20 for Migori Youth before moving to Gor Mahia.Others include Ezekiel Okare, whose 25-goal haul earned him a move to Bidco United; and Cornelius Juma, who netted 17 times for Mwatate United before being snapped up by Kenya Police.
