Migori Youth team manager David Otieno has attributed their slow start to the 2024/2025 National Super League (NSL) campaign to the lack of proper pre-season.The team reported back to training just a week before the new season began, though they were granted an additional seven days after clubs requested a league delay.Having picked up only one win from six matches, Otieno believes the limited pre-season time played a role in the slow start.##NAJAVA_MECA_8456968##The club administrator, however, is pleased with the team’s recent 4-1 victory over SS Assad last weekend.”We haven’t lost games because we played poorly but because we had little time for preseason,” he told Mozzart Sport.”We lost some players and brought in new ones who needed time to gel, but we couldn’t achieve that. Our first five matches essentially served as test games since we only had a week to prepare.””Players performed well against Assad, followed instructions, and we got a win. It finally shows we have the chemistry,” added the team manager.Otieno also disclosed that the team faced financial uncertainties and even considered withdrawing from the league at one point.Atletico Madrid among clubs Interested in Kenyan starsAddressing rumours about assistant coach Laban Gambereko’s alleged resignation, he clarified, “He is still with us. Maybe terms haven’t been finalized, but he’ll be here for the rest of the campaign.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8457034##Formed 17 years ago with the goal of nurturing talent and uniting communities after post-election violence in Migori, the team has developed players who have made it to the FKF Premier League.Notable alumni include Clifford Otieno, Ben Stanley Omondi, Calvince Masawa, Dan Makori, Calvince Oketch, Wycliffe Odour, and Felix Otieno.The club’s success continued in the recent offseason when winger Elly Owande joined UAE’s Al Nasr, a milestone that Otieno says was a proud moment for both the club and the Suba community.”It was a big moment for the people of Migori. The move made other players realize they could succeed, and the community’s trust in our project grew,” he stated.Dalphine Omuri reveals two ingredients needed for Kenya to succeed at U20 AFCONHowever, Migori Youth’s path to the FKF Premier League remains challenging.Two seasons ago, they came close, hosting Wazito at Migori Stadium and later playing the return leg at Muhoroni in the promotion playoffs.They were just 90 minutes away but suffered a 3-0 loss, ending their promotion dreams.Otieno admits this may have been the closest they will come to joining the top tier, as they start their sixth NSL campaign.”We don’t have a clear plan for promotion. A struggling team can’t make that promise. Each season, we have talented players, but when a good offer comes, we lose them and start fresh,” he concluded.Bandari defender shares how Joseph Okumu became his football mentorMigori Youth, who host matches at Migori and Awendo Green Stadium, will visit Mully Children’s Family (MCF) for their next league match on Saturday.
