Luanda Villa's Selebwa bracing for a tough NSL competition next season

National Super League (NSL) side Luanda Villa Coach Gilbert Selebwa says next season will be a tough one for the Mumboha-based club, as they aim for a Premier League promotion.

Selebwa, a former AFC Leopards coach, expects stiff competition especially from the teams relegated from the Premier League last season.

The coach feels, the desire to return to the top level will be a motivation already for the sides, Nzoia Sugar and Muhoroni Youth.

“I expect a very competitive season bearing in mind that Muhoroni and Nzoia Sugar FC will be fighting tooth and nail to return to the Premier League. Naivas FC, who failed to qualify last season after an impressive season, are likely to bring very tough opposition in the league too because they came so close to earning promotion,” Selebwa said.

With that in mind, Selebwa has revealed that Luanda Villa are also bolstering their squad to match the expected pressure.

“Luanda Villa will click this season. I’m happy that Timothy Lumasai is returning this season after a knee injury that kept him off the pitch during the second leg of last season,” he added.

Luanda Villa will have to fill the voids left by Brian Bett who has since joined Shabana FC and goalkeeper Johnstone Alusula who has moved to Sofapaka FC ; among the 13 players who have been released heading to next season.

Selebwa has already identified their replacements, who will be unveiled upon completion of all the paperwork. Some, he says, are from AFC Leopards while others have been roped in from Ebwali FC.

Luanda Villa will early next month begin their campaign at home as they host Kibera Blackstars at Mumboha Sports Grounds.

This will be a second NSL appearance for Villa who finished in the eighth position with 52 points last season.