Migori rise a heads-turner even as City Stars stay top
Since the 2019/20 National Super League season began, Nairobi City Stars remains the team attracting most of the attention owing to the brilliant start that has seen them banish the bad form of last year to sit top of the table.
City Stars were among teams that survived relegation by a whisker last season but have won six and drawn one match this campaign to lead the 20-team standings with 19 points, four ahead of Bidco United and Ushuru FC who are joint second.
Struggling for survival with City Stars last season were Migori Youth who had to wait until the final day to know their fate and after earning a lifeline, they are a different animal this time.
The Migori-based side, who were promoted to the NSL two years ago, sits seventh in the standings with 13 points, just two below second place which is the final promotion slot and even though only seven matches have been played, they are slowly carving a niche for themselves.
Migori’s good form has been attributed to the changes initiated by coach Robert Ojienda who joined the team this season and Saturday’s 1-0 win over title contenders Nairobi Stima was yet another statement of intent.
“I was appointed when the league had started and taken charge of the team from the second match against Bidco United which we lost 2-0.
We, however, picked up from there and went on to record wins and a draw against Kenya Police,” said Ojienda after Saturday’s match.
He added: “Migori has never been in the top 10 but our draw with Police pushed us to position 10 then we won against Bomet AP to get to ninth and now we have beaten Stima to move to fifth.”
Trained at the famous KNVB of the Netherlands, the 36-year-old tactician has employed the ‘Total football’ preached by the Dutch, mostly employing a 4-3-3 attacking system that is synonymous high-pressing and is reaping the dividends, having won four, drawn one and lost only once in his six matches in charge.
“I attribute this to a good working relationship between me and my assistant Kevin Oluoch, the commitment of my players and discipline,” said the coach.
