Kabati Youth coach Mungai 'commits' to club after NSL promotion

Mungai, fondly known as the "Turban Guy" by fans, revealed that despite receiving offers from teams in the FKF Premier League, he has chosen to stay at Kabati Youth and guide the club into its debut NSL campaign.

“I’m not leaving Kabati Youth. My full focus is on strengthening the squad as we prepare for our National Super League debut,” said Mungai, who also served as a player-coach in the club’s earlier years.

The youthful tactician led Kabati Youth to promotion after just two seasons in the FKF Division II Zone A League. The team topped the standings with 58 points from 30 matches.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Mungai described the promotion as a reward for their hard work and resilience.

“It’s been a tough season for us. We were faced by so many challenges along the way, and at the end of it, we achieved our goal of getting promoted to the National Super League,” he recalled.

“After news went viral that we have achieved this just after two seasons, offers started coming and I have decided to turn them down and focus on Kabati Youth. Now that we are expecting a lot next season, this is not the best time to walk away,” he affirmed.

“I want to manage this team in the NSL, and it will be like I am enjoying and reaping what we sowed in Division II in the just-concluded season,” he added.

Looking to the next chapter, Mungai says his primary focus is to build a competitive squad.

“My focus now, and that of the management, is to reinforce the team just to see to it that we get a mixture of players that will give us an edge in competing in the NSL. We are going to address the four departments so that we can reach NSL levels,” he underscored.

Meanwhile, the club’s Sporting Director Paul Mwangi acknowledged that the promotion, while a blessing, comes with increased financial strain. He noted the club now requires KSh. 15 million—up from KSh. 12 million—to meet its needs for the upcoming season.

“This is a community club, and since 2015, when we were playing our trade in the County League, we have solely depended on the Kabati community for our financial survival. In Division II, we got Kshs. 12 million from them through numerous fund-drives, and still, they were struggling to support us,” Mwangi explained.

“Having been promoted, and with the NSL being a nationwide league, this will increase our budget by KSh. 3 million. And in this spirit, we have decided to organise a harambee on August 3rd with the aim of raising funds for next season,” he stated.

“We are calling on the Murang’a County Government to support us, even if it’s through taking care of our logistics. This will ease our burden,” he appealed.

One of the team’s standout players, defender Amos Odhiambo, is also hoping to extend his stay. The former Fortune Sacco man joined Kabati Youth on a one-year deal that expired at the end of the season.

“I joined from Fortune Sacco on a one-year contract which expired at the end of last season. However, I am looking forward to playing for the team next season. I can’t wait to be in NSL since it’s not my first time there. The sooner we start the negotiations the better for me and the club,” said the defender.

In Zone B, meanwhile, Gucha Stars' dramatic promotion was overturned after the FKF Leagues & Competitions Committee found the club guilty of fielding an ineligible player, Eugene Nyakaga, during a decisive match against Nakuru Bucks.