SamWest Blackboots FC seem to have found their footing in the National Super League (NSL) if any of their last two results are anything to go by.Dispatching a hapless Mombasa Stars 4-1 in Match Week 5, head coach Andrew Ongwae’s men now stay three points above the relegation zone where they hung around during the opening rounds of the season.Skipper Gilbert Otieno, who is in his second season with Blackboots this campaign, admits the shaky start threw the team off balance, especially after their formidable showing last campaign.##NAJAVA_MECA_8445522##”We could have done better having struggled with relegation last season. All those battles we won to stay afloat should have come in handy when we started this season’s campaign, but I guess we were just settling in and easing a little tension,” says the lanky center-back.SamWest had taken two hard falls against SS Assad and Mombasa United before notching their first win away to Migori Youth, whom they whipped for three. It was a huge relief, Otieno says.”When results don’t go one’s way, any kind of win is required to lift up the spirits within the team. For us, we are grateful ours came hugely. Migori Youth are not an easy side when playing at home, but it is the tie that turned things around for us,” he continues.Zico blames part of Gor Mahia’s struggles against KCB on unplayable Dandora StadiumAfter the dominant away victory over Migori Youth, the 4-1 whipping of Mombasa Stars was almost inevitable for the coastal side, who themselves are having a season to forget thus far in the league.But now Match Week 6 seems to be an acid test for Ongwae’s men as they make their way to Muhoroni Youth. It is a tough hunting ground, and skipper Otieno is well aware of this.”The most important thing at this moment is that we have brought the confidence back in the team. Our strikers are scoring, and at the back, we try to limit damage. The trip to Muhoroni is tricky, and we will have to be at our very best to come out with a result,” says Otieno.##NAJAVA_MECA_8445527##The former Premier League side have themselves recorded a formidable start, and despite their recent barren stalemate away to MCF, they have dispatched teams such as MOFA and promotion favourites Naivas, the latter taking a hard 2-0 fall at the famed Got Alila Grounds in Muhoroni. Otieno thinks SamWest presents a different type of opponent for their next hosts.”Given we already know what to expect means we have the advantage of approaching the match cautiously. Of course, we will try and go for the full set of three points, but considering the position strength, not losing will be good enough for us,” he concludes.SamWest, who rebranded to their current name from their initial Vihiga Bullets, now sit 13th on the 20-team NSL table standings with their points haul for the season-6, all picked from their last two outings. Muhoroni Youth, on the other hand, are only a point above Andrew Ongwae’s men, and the week six contest will likely separate the two.FKF give way forward after Dimba Patriots’ relegation from NSL and Mwatate’s promotion
