Nyalenda United finished top of the FKF Div 2 Central Zone League after their season finale opponents Marani Combined failed to show up for the clash. The 2-0 result meant the panthers ended the season perched top, four points adrift of Manyatta United. They will play in the Div 1 play-offs.Pulling themselves by the bootstraps just three years ago, the Nyalenda-based side, plying their trade at their famed ’Sri Lanka’ grounds, the panthers have come a long way under coach Billy Agai- a former top flight player with Western Stima FC. He knows what awaits his young charges in the play-offs is an enormous task.‘’First, all credit to the players for a wonderful season. We had plenty of challenges here and there but they never cowed under pressure. It’s all their work,’’ says the former Kisumu All Stars midfielder.##NAJAVA_MECA_6716715##Nyalenda face Vegrpro, Shalimar FC and Kisumu Green Berets in the upcoming play-offs, an uphill climb he admits.‘’The play-offs are every player’s dream and if my boys calm their nerves I believe in victory so we can play in the Div 1 next year. It sure won’t be easy but we believe in ourselves,’’ he adds.Agai, a CAF C License holder, previously played for Nakuru All Stars, Western Stima, Agro Chemical, Palos FC and Kisumu All Stars. He was forced into an early retirement due to a nagging injury sustained while at Agro. He however has taken the coaching role at his hometown club in his stride. The club,PHOTOS [Nyalenda United 0-1 Western United]: Kisumu County League https://t.co/KljyVwt0GM pic.twitter.com/oEM0o5pqYy— SR Kisumu (@SR_Kisumu) May 26, 2019 in readiness for the play-offs, will play a couple of high profile friendly matches aimed at boosting confidence among his boys. ‘’We are taking on Kisumu All Stars this Wednesday, a former Premier League side then on Saturday we travel to Ahero for clashes against Ahero Combined and Madenya FC. These I believe will boost moral and sharpen the boys even more,’’ he continues.Nyalenda has been a breeding ground for top premier league talents over the past few years with such players as Maurice Ojwang, Maxwell Otieno, Apollo Otieno,Baron Oketch, Gad Mathew and Wanga Vincent all starting their careers here.
