Vihiga Bullets’ win over National Super League (NSL) champions Mara Sugar was important as they needed to send a signal to all that they will be competing for the title and promotion next season. This is according to their head coach Mark Andrea Ongwae.The Vihiga-based club saw off champions Mara Sugar FC 2-1 on the day that the Sugar Millers were officially crowned as NSL champions. The match which took place at Police Sacco Stadium, saw Vihiga score first through Denilson Imbayi before Michael Isabwa equalized for Mara Sugar.Gor Mahia facing stiff competition from two clubs in race to sign Burundian custodianWhen the match looked to end in a draw, John Nyawir rose high to head home a Boniface Onyango cross. The goal handed Vihiga United the much needed three points.Going into the match, Mara Sugar were already declared champions while Vihiga Bullets’ safety was assured and so the match seemed to be a dead rubber but that was not the case for Bullets’ tactician Andrea Ongwae.##NAJAVA_MECA_8192887##Ongwae had his eyes set to win the match in order to achieve his season’s targets and also send a strong statement about their intentions for promotion next season“We had prepared well for the match. My target when I joined this team was to attain 45 points. Prior to the match, we had 41 points and I told the players that if we manage a win against Mara, I will be all good.” said OngwaeArthur Gitego on his future at AFC Leopards after fresh rumours of exitOn the significance of the win, Ongwae had this to say.“A win in this game was very important for us as we needed to send a message that come next season, we will be there to fight for promotion. This game was equally important in helping us to gauge where we are as a team.” he added.Additionally, the former Gor Mahia defender outlined the plans that they have as a team going into the pre-season and even into the new season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8191715##“We will be getting back for pre-season around 22nd of July and start preparing for the new season. I will strengthen every department; goalkeeping, defense, midfield and attack in order to have a better chance of competing.” he concluded.Vihiga Bullets finished the league in the 14th position having accumulated 44 points.
