The newly appointed Nzoia Sugar head coach Godfrey Oduor has said he will be targeting a respectable finish in the new season.
In an interview on Wednesday, Oduor admitted it would be outrageous to raise their target to unattainable levels, especially after the club experienced a mass exodus of players.
“We have not set any specific targets for the season but our main goal is to perform well and conclude the season in a respectable position,” Oduor remarked.
“Aiming for the title is a little bit unrealistic for us at this point when we lost some of our key players to Kenyan Premier League rivals in the last transfer window.”
After wreaking havoc on opponents in the preceding season, Nzoia’s midfield was left exposed following the departure of the squad members who were instrumental in their impressive run.
Headlining the list of those who have severed ties with the club is play-maker Joseph Mwangi who has been snatched by Tusker as well as Boniface Munyendo who penned a two-year deal with traditional giants AFC Leopards.
Oduor, however, said he harbours no ill feelings toward the players who decided to desert the Bungoma-based millers.
“We all feel happy when players perform well for the team and end up being scouted by other clubs. As a coach, you always want the best for your players. We can’t insist to have them around when other opportunities come knocking,” Oduor said.
Oduor said they had already embarked on a frantic bid to rebuild the side after identifying players with the potential to step into the shoes of those who have bid the club farewell.
Oduor has begun rebuilding the team and is upbeat that he will have a strong team before the league starts on August 26. Nzoia will play Ulinzi Stars at Sudi Stadium on Match Day One.
“It’s a difficult task but I’m ready for the challenge. Rebuilding a team is not easy but I will have a good team before the league kicks off,” he said in a telephone interview.
He added: “Currently, we have players who were part of the team last season and about 30 who are undergoing trials. I want to recruit at least 15 of the 30 and have a team of 25 players.”
“The club has its roots in a talent-laden region and so getting a quick fix wouldn’t be a problem. We already have some gifted players training with us. They are very promising,” Oduor said.
He said some former players are keen to return to the team but they will be gauged alongside the trialists. “If they are good enough, we shall recruit them but we will not give them any special treatment,” he noted
The former Kibera Black Stars coach and KCB assistant coach is back to familiar territory having coached Nzoia before.
Oduor joins a side that rose above all odds to surpass expectations after cracking a top-four finish. He will hope to emulate his predecessor Salim Babu who shifted base to Kenya Police where he landed a role as Francis Baraza’s deputy.
Under Babu, Nzoia completed the season with 64 points, the same as third-placed Police who bragged of a healthier goal difference. Gor Mahia ran away with the title after amassing 70 points, one ahead of second-placed Tusker.
