NAIROBI, Kenya, February 24 – Thika United coach Abdulla Juma believes the time has come for his team to reach the summit of the Kenya Premier League (KPL).Juma said that his side are tired of being the league’s nearly men and hopes that early recruitment will help him deliver the title.
“What has been my undoing in previous seasons is signing players in the middle of the season. In previous years some of our players go for trials in South Africa which forces us to adjust but I’m confident this time round will cope,” said Juma.
Juma said that his young side is targeting a top two finish this season.
“My players and I believe that we can either win the league this season or runners up. We’re tired of being of finishing around the fourth and fifth positions,” said Juma whose team finished third last season.
Juma spoke when his team received Sh15 million from Brookside dairy up from Sh12 million last season.
“We are particularly proud of Thika United’s performance in the last two seasons, battling aginst all odds with probably the youngest and arguably most inexperienced team to finish fourth in 2008 and third last year,” said Brookside marketing manager Peter Wasonga.
“This amount will cover the team’s regular expenses including paying the players as well as kitting,” he added.
Thika vice chairman Gerald Chege hailed the increase in sponsorship as a testament to what the club has achieved over the years.
“We don’t take this sponsorship for granted. Brookside have been with us for so long because they value in partnering with us,” said Chege.
“Our success also shows what happens when you nuture young talent. Last season we were written off because people thought it was unwise to into a league with players that had just finished Form 4 but we proved them wrong,” he added.
