Mathare United’s newly appointed head coach, John Kamau, is determined to make a strong start to the new season and believes that a victory over AFC Leopards on Saturday will set a positive tone for the team.After spending a season in the second tier, the Slum Boys made their return to the top flight earlier this year. They finished second in the National Super League (NSL), behind Mara Sugar, who also earned promotion.##NAJAVA_MECA_8275719##The team has been in pre-season training for over a month, participating in several friendly matches. Although Kamau acknowledges that his squad is not yet at peak readiness, he stresses the importance of starting the campaign with a win.“It is crucial to begin the season with a win, and a victory against AFC Leopards will give us the momentum we need. They are a top team with excellent coaching and have had a more comprehensive pre-season than us,” Kamau noted in an interview with the club’s media team.The club has been gradually rebuilding, primarily with players from the lower leagues. The only experienced addition so far is goalkeeper Michael Wanyika from Ulinzi Stars. Recruits include Hakimu Msami, Derrick Anami, Brian Oburu, Dan Odhiambo from the NSL, and Harry Luta from FKF Division One side Soy United.FKFPL Preview: Reinforced Shabana gearing up for stronger season free from relegation worriesKamau is excited about working with young players and appreciates the club’s commitment to giving youth a chance.“I want to thank the management for focusing on the core philosophy of Mathare United, which is nurturing young talent. My focus has been on bringing in ambitious young players, and the club has fully supported this vision,” he said.He expressed satisfaction with his squad, many of whom are new to top-flight football. “I’m pleased with every single player. Although many are new to the top tier, their progress has been impressive. I couldn’t ask for more,” Kamau added.The coach is also focused on ensuring that the team does not repeat the struggles of previous seasons and is working towards building a competitive outfit.“We are aiming to establish a team that can challenge the top teams in the Premier League. While we are not yet fully prepared, our pre-season efforts are showing promise. We hope to reach a higher level with our final preparations before the season opener,” he concluded.Massive Ksh5.4 billion unaccounted for in latest Sports and Arts Fund audit
