Youthful Nzoia will rise from ruins, says chairman Mokua

Nzoia Sugar FC chairman Yepets Mokua has no doubt the club's youthful squad will soon find the mettle needed to compete favourably in the Kenyan Premier League, after a poor start in the current campaign.

Despite an impressive fourth-place finish last season, Nzoia have endured a difficult start this term and Mokua knows the mass exodus of players who shone at the club last season is the main reason for the downward trajectory.

Recently, fans have raised alarm over the rate at which blossoming players have been living the club.

Head coach Salim Babu left the team to join  Police FC after conclusion of last season, as well as star players like Joseph Mwangi, Hassan Beja, Boniface Munyendo, Humphrey Katasi, Ian Karani, and Moses Mwale.

"That has been our culture. We sign young but very talented players then give them proper training to participate in the Premier League. Most of them come from schools straight to our setup, and soon after they become forces to reckon with.

"Our main challenge is that we keep losing them to other teams. The problem is not finding the seasoned players, the problem is retaining them," said Mokua, conceding that clubs with bigger financial muscles are always scouting for players at their backyard  .

After 18 outings, Nzoia are last in the 18-team league with only 13 points, having suffered a whopping 11 losses while winning only three.

Nzoia were thumped 2-5 by Shabana last week, and have a date with Kenya Police this weekend.

"Only one player is out with injury, the rest are good to go. We have well trained and they've assured that they will give their best in the weekend match against Police. They know we are not in the position we want to be but we are not succumbing to pressure.

"We know we can do better, and we will avoid relegation," Mokua stated.