FKFPL: How Wazito beat the odds to secure FKFPL place for next season

Wazito walloped Migori Youth comprehensively in the second leg of their promotion/relegation playoff game to secure a place in next season's FKFPL season.

Wazito head coach Charles Odera has praised everyone involved in making the team click for sticking together and enabling the side to battle all the odds to secure their place in next season’s FKF Premier League.

Wazito did not kick a ball in the first six gameweeks of the just concluded season given the fact that the Sports Disputes Tribunal was yet to deliver its verdict as to whether the reinstated committee led by Nick Mwendwa’s decision to void the 2021/22 season in which the club was relegated void.

The decision went in their favor thankfully, which allowed Wazito to take part in the league this season. They were under the stewardship of interim coach Jephas Odongo who was appointed in that capacity by new owner Moses Adagala.

Odongo however would abandon ship to join Patrick Odhiambo at Kakamega Homeboyz, leaving the club  in a precarious situation.

With APS Bomet and Fortune Sacco in disarray after their promotions were nullified, Odera, who was in charge of Bomet, jumped at the opportunity to coach the club, and was instantly tasked with helping keep the side in the topflight.

However, things were not plain sailing at first. Odera just could not find a way to win in his first 20 games in charge of the club, however,it was the 20th game itself that would lay foundations for their survival.

The side played against Tusker at the Ruaraka grounds, and after a rather disastrous first 30 minutes, their goalkeeper, Ezekiel Owade suffered a calf injury that required him to be replaced. In came Tom Muthomi, whose inspired performance in the second half allowed Owade’s charges to dominate the half.

Although they failed to deliver a result, it injected confidence in them. They beat Ulinzi Stars in their very next fixture,  which  carved a path for a strong run of five games without defeat in their last eight outings, including a famous victory over Tusker in the return fixture Muhoroni in June.

Their form was enough to secure a playoff spot at the expense of Mathare United, who were relegated after 25 years in the topflight. This set them up for a meeting with Migori Youth, who finished third in the NSL to decide who would secure the final ticket for next season’s premier Kenyan competition.

After a 0-0 draw in Migori, Wazito used their home advantage in the return leg, walloping Migori 3-0, with Collins Neto producing a particularly inspired performance with a brace.

“Tactically, we had decided to pressure them from the word go,” Odera said, “ I thank my players for executing my instructions and going precisely according to plan,” he added.

Odera is adamant that Wazito should prepare themselves adequately in order to ensure they never find themselves in such a situation again.

“The season was very difficult at first but we found a foot in and managed to survive. I want to thank my players, the fans and our sponsors for rallying behind us and helping us through this tough period. We have had our challenges, and we cannot allow for it to happen again.”

Odera has revealed that the club will look to sign at least eight players to help strengthen their campaign and put them in an even higher position next year.