Promoted Stima to axe 10 ahead of KPL season

Western Stima chairman Laban Jobita says his team will release 10 players and make replacements ahead of 2018/2019 Kenyan Premier League season.

Stima secured promotion back to the top-tier league following their Friday’s 1-0 victory over Coast Stima in a National Super League clash at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

Victory took Stima’s points tally to 76, seven ahead of second-placed Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) with two matches to spare.

Only KCB can reach the 76-point mark if they win all their remaining three games in the event Stima drop points in their remaining two fixtures against Talanta and Nairobi Stima and plans are already underway to prepare for the new KPL season.

“There are about ten players who didn’t get pay time and for us to develop more competitive team we need to let some players leave and create room for other who we intend to sign inorder to strengthen the squad,” said Jobita.

“There will be no changes on the technical bench, it will remain intact and if we are looking for players to sign they are the once who will advise us on who to bring in because they are very committed to vision of the club.”

Stima play rivals Nairobi Stima on Wednesday and Jobita says they will be going out for yet another win which if attained will haul their tally to 79 points with a game to play.

“Our focus is to finish the two matches remaining and focus on building a team that will be competitive in the league next season. We are back in the league to compete, and by the time we play five games we will know the direction we are headed to,” added Jobita.

It was a bumpy road for the Kisumu-based side after being demoted from the top league last year for the first time since 2008 but the Kenya Power and Lightening Company sponsored side has so far amassed 23 wins, seven draws and four losses in 34 games.

“We registered some experienced players from the Premier League even when we were relegated to the NSL because we needed players with experience and a lot of maturity and that’s what made us bounce back  quicker.”

NATIONAL SUPER LEAGUE MID WEEK FIXTURES

October 3, 2018                Nairobi City Stars vs Kisumu All Stars       2:00 pm Hope Center

October 3, 2018                Nairobi Stima vs Western Stima             3:00 pm    Karuturi Grounds

October 3, 2018                Bidco United vs Modern Coast Rangers 3:00 pm   Thika Stadium

October 3, 2018                FC Talanta vs Administration Police          3:00 pm   Camp Toyoyo

October 3, 2018                GFE 105 vs Ushuru                 3:00 pm                        Sudi Stadium

October 3, 2018                Coast Stima vs KCB          3:00 pm                Mbaraki Sports Club

October 3, 2018                Green Commandoes vs Kenya Police      3:00 pm      Bukhungu Stadium

October 3, 2018                St Joseph Youth vs Migori Youth                            3:00 pm      Afraha Stadium

October 3, 2018                Kibera Black Stars vs Kangemi All Stars    4:15 pm                Hope Center