Embu-based 3K FC has stepped up preparations for its maiden Kenya Premier League (KPL) campaign, with head coach Nicodemus Omasete working to assemble a squad capable of competing in the top-flight league.
The team, promoted after finishing National Super League (NSL) at number two last season, is in its fifth week of pre-season training, with the technical bench placing emphasis on fitness, tactical organization, and team chemistry ahead of the new season.
Speaking on Friday morning at Moi Stadium during a training session for the team, coach
Omasete has also confirmed that the club has brought in nine new players as part of efforts to strengthen the squad, especially the attacking line, for its debut season.
He said the new signings were gradually settling into the squad, with training sessions providing an opportunity for the players to gel and build understanding.
The promotion represents the biggest challenge yet for the young Embu side, which will now face more experienced teams as it seeks to make an immediate impact at the top of Kenyan football.
“KPL League is the toughest league in the country, but we are preparing well. The boys are already in camp for the pre-season,” he said.
The coach remains optimistic that the team can go beyond simply surviving in the KPL by upsetting seasoned teams, saying they had also played several friendly matches against some of the heavyweights as part of preparations.
“We are not going in the league for the sake of participation but to compete and pick up impressive results against the heavyweights in the top-flight league,” he said.
However, uncertainty surrounding the start of the new campaign has reportedly left some players anxious, with the prolonged wait for the league to kick off testing their patience.
The delay has been occasioned by the ongoing court cases challenging the promotion and relegation regulations, with a petition by the Kariobangi Sharks challenging its relegation being at the center of the stalemate.
The club chair, Charles Njagi, announced that the team had also managed to have its corporate sponsorship by gaming company Mozzart Bet Kenya renewed to the tune of Sh. 20 million ahead of their debut season.
He welcomed the move, saying it will go a long way in providing the foundation needed to handle some of the financial obligations and demands of top-flight football.
Njagi, however, said the money was not enough to meet their annual budget of Sh. 73 million and called on their supporters and well-wishers to step in to help them plug the deficit.
Consequently, Njagi said they will be holding their annual mobilization dinner on November 21 to raise funds to bridge the deficit gap to comfortably sustain the club’s operations.
By Samuel Waititu
