Assassins' tactician Muhambe plays down title talk, says priority is on producing talents

Madira Soccer Assassins head coach Francis Muhambe has dismissed title race talks, asserting their commitment to nurturing talents.

This is despite sitting at the apex of the National Women Super League Zone B table on 30 points, following their 3-0 win against Chakol Queens on Saturday at Madira Girls High School grounds.

Goals from Charity Midewa, Valerie Nekesa and Philis Nasimiyu were enough to hand Madira maximum points, helping them leapfrog Trans Nzoia Falcons at the top of the table but Muhambe insists they remain determined to nurture talents.

“Our objective is making Madira Soccer Assassins a centre of nurturing and producing talents that will light Kenya and international football. Gaining promotion is a priority but not our main priority,” Muhambe told Citizen Digital.

He also urged his girls against resting on their laurels. “The race for promotion is tight because our opponents are also winning their matches. Trans Nzoia Falcons and Gideon Starlets are also tough opponents who have the ability to secure promotion therefore we have to continue fighting.”

Madira made headlines in 2023 after securing promotion to the Kenya Women’s Premier League and finishing third in School games' finals and has been a hub of talent in the country.

Muhambe has urged the Kenya Academy of Sports to support such schools financially and in resource allocation to enable them nurture more talents for the future.

“I want to urge the Kenya Academy of Sports to identify talent producing schools in each county and support them because they are the future of football in this country. That is an area that has been ignored and the only way our football can grow is by supporting these schools with training facilities.”

“If a small school like Ebwali Secondary School can produce players like Austin Odongo and Derrick Oketch who are key players for Shabana it is a shame for it to struggle with training facilities when it has the potential to nurture talents,” added Muhambe.

Madira boasts of nurturing the current Rising Starlets captain and Kenya Police Bullets’ midfield dynamo Jane Hato, Rebecca Kwoba who recently secured a scholarship at Alcorn State University in United States of America (USA), Mathare United Women midfield maestro Jerrine Adhiambo among others.

Muhambe has also hinted that forward Valerie Nekesa will be leaving for a scholarship in the USA after completing her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations this year while Charity Midewa has offers from top clubs within the country and abroad.