Mara Sugar central defender Vincent Mulama is over the moon after leading the club to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL).The Millers confirmed their place on the big stage on Sunday following an emphatic 4-0 win over the relegated Silibwet Leons at Awendo Green Stadium.Mulama was one of the players who joined the club in the January mid-season transfer window from another National Super League (NSL) outfit, Luanda Villa, alongside striker Mike Isabwa, goalkeeper Tom Muthomi, Erick Sinje, Derrick Kipkoech, and former APS Bomet hitman Dennis Cheruiyot.##NAJAVA_MECA_8152608##The no-nonsense defender was an instant hit in the Benedict Wanjala-coached side as he strolled straight into the starting lineup.He repaid the coach’s trust in him by keeping nine clean sheets and helping the team set one of the longest unbeaten runs in the league.The Sugar Men have not lost a match in the league since March, when they fell to Dimba Patriots.“I am happy to have played a role in promoting the team. The relentless attitude of everyone in the team was enough to see us cross the finish line this early. It was also important to seal it with three matches to go so as not to be disappointed on the final day,” he told Mozzart Sport.Mara Sugar’s coach elated after sealing promotion to Kenya’s Premier LeagueThe 23-year-old defender is not new to success. Last year, he captained Luanda Villa to the National Super League after defeating Zoo FC in the last match of the season at Mumboha Stadium.He says the feeling of getting back-to-back promotions gave him more fighting energy.“This is my second promotion in a year. In the previous season, I helped Villa climb the ladder, and when I came here, the team was fourth.”We felt that if we did our assignments well, we were going to achieve the targets, as I was briefed when I signed. Therefore, I used Villa as motivation because we achieved it with very minimal resources,” he added.He says the focus now shifts to winning first place, hence becoming the 2023/24 National Super League champions.With three matches remaining—and their rivals Mathare United also with three—Mara stands an advantage if they can claim three points out of the nine points on offer. Mulama wants that first-place medal.“Earning promotion is good, but earning it while in first position makes a huge statement to the clubs we will face in the Premier League. I am confident we will emerge champions,” concludes the former Villa skipper.Talanta captain Castro Ogendo confident ahead of crucial Muhoroni Youth tieMara will travel to 7th placed Kibera Black Stars on Sunday, a dicey fixture where the defender seeks his eighteenth clean sheet of the season, having kept eight in the first leg with Luanda.
