Ochieng backs revamped Kisumu AllStars for promotion push

Kisumu AllStars manager Rashid Ochieng believes the club has a strong chance of challenging for promotion to the Kenyan Premier League next season after bolstering its squad with experienced players.

The Kisumu-based side has brought in several new faces as it seeks to improve on last season's performance and mount a serious promotion challenge.

Among the new recruits are defender Brian Obura, who joins from MOFA, Samuel Sarfo from Ghanaian side Golden Warriors, and Edwin Ouko from Darajani Gogo.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Ochieng said the new arrivals, alongside other additions, have boosted the team's confidence ahead of the new campaign.

The manager is keen to avoid another difficult season after AllStars narrowly escaped relegation last term.

"We have done our preseason well and the players are ready. We have also reinforced in all departments—goalkeeping, defence, midfield and attack. We really wanted to have depth in our squad heading into the new season," he said.

Kisumu AllStars finished just one place above the relegation zone last season, highlighting the scale of the improvement required ahead of the new NSL campaign.

Ochieng said avoiding another relegation battle is a priority, but the club's ambitions now extend to challenging for promotion.

He believes the experience added during the transfer window will give AllStars greater competitiveness and help them push towards the top of the NSL standings.

The club must now turn its strengthened squad into results as it looks to transform last season's relegation fight into a promotion challenge.