Migori Youth out to keep Premier League status in debut season - Babu

Migori led 2-0 through Dennis Oguta and Philemon Nyakwakwa before Gor Mahia fought back to force a 2-2 draw. Gor eventually won 4-3 on penalties but Migori head coach Salim Babu said the bigger gain was the confidence his young squad earned from facing established top-flight opposition.

Migori Youth secured their first-ever promotion to the FKF Premier League after a strong National Super League campaign, finishing with 81 points from 38 matches. Their arrival in the top flight represents a significant step up for the club. The step up means Babu's young squad will face a new level of competition when the league begins.

“This is a team we are still building. The main thing we are trying to do is build their confidence because the talent is there,” Babu said.

Migori has been in pre-season training for almost four weeks. Babu expects the squad to complete about six weeks of preparation before the new campaign.

“Our preparations have been good. We started training a bit early and I think we have been training for almost four weeks now.”

Babu added that the club's priority is to adapt quickly to the demands of top-flight football and collect enough points to stay clear of the relegation battle.

“We want to avoid fighting relegation in the final minutes of the season, that is what we want to avoid,” he said.

The performance against Gor Mahia provided an early confidence boost, particularly after Migori established a two-goal lead against the Kenyan champions.

“It was good practice because we played against a big team with a large fanbase. All in all, I think it was great preparation, very good training today,” Babu said.

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor acknowledged that Migori's two-goal advantage had surprised his side but praised his players for recovering.

“The fact that we were behind and came back to equalise shows a bit of character from our players,” Akonnor said.

Akonnor also identified breaking down deep-lying opponents and improving in the final third as areas Gor Mahia need to address before the new season.

“When we come across an opponent who is deep, we have to know to be smart. We need to improve in our final-third issues.”

For Migori Youth, the Green Legacy Cup was therefore more than a pre-season result. It gave Babu's young squad a demanding test against the reigning champions and an early indication of the level required as they prepare to make their Premier League debut.