The rise and fall of Nzoia Sugar FC

2016 was a remarkable year for Nzoia FC fans who saw the return of the team back to the Kenya premier league.

With 34 games of the second-tier played, Nzoia have won a staggering 26, drawn seven and only lost once under the leadership of Bernard Mwalala who is currently with KCB.

Last year against all odds with very many unknown players, Nzoia challenged for the title under the leadership of Salim Babu and now with Police FC and managed to finish fourth Behind eventual winners Gor Mahia,Tusker Police.

Having seen Salim Babu leave the team to join  Police FC  their was also massive exodus of star players like Joseph Mwangi, Hassan Beja, Boniface Munyendo, Humphrey Katasi, Ian Karani, and Moses Mwale.

Could this be the start of Nzoia downfall? James Situma is a former Kenyan international.

“It’s is true they lost almost their entire first team to their rivals that is a big effect to a team that had jelled very well that is something that can happen to any team but as a former player I hope they get the financial power to get good players when the transfer window opens.”

Financial bit has been another reason for the team’s struggles as confirmed by the assistant coach Peter Gin.

“We are struggling very much with finances. That is a matter that made us lose our top players to our rivals. We are hoping the situation will be sorted very soon and we will be able to get back to our winning ways.

“Remember also, the current team was quickly assembled after many players left and we didn’t have a good pre-season and we have been using the league matches as part of our pre-season,” stated the former captain.

With the midseason transfer window approaching, we are likely to see things getting worse for bottom place Nzoia.

 Peter Mayoyo, the assistant coach to Junior Stars says: “Because of their current financial status, they need to go for player with quality and who are affordable - there is no shortcut to that and that talent is very much outside there,” the veteran tactician told Citizen Digital.