Stima focused on top-tier league status despite turmoil

Coast region writer

Coast Stima chairman Kevin Opiyo has set his eyes on ensuring the club earns a ticket to the top flight football next season despite the turmoil bedeviling the club.

Stima missed the chance to earn promotion last season after the league was halted following the Corona Virus pandemic and Opiyo is targeting to grace Football Kenya Federation Premier League next term.

“We have only one target: to win the league and get promoted to the top tier next season,”said Opiyo.

This ambition could however be undermined by the exit of several players who’ve decamped in search of greener pastures due to the team’s financial struggles.

The club has so far lost Eric Ombija to Nairobi City Stars, Lucky Eme and captain Joshua Oyoo – to an unnamed Somalia team, while Idd Hassan and Dennis Magige have returned to parent club Bandari upon the expiry of their loan deals.

The Mombasa based side which lost their sponsorship in June this year after KPLC terminated all its funding, is currently conducting trials to beef up their squad ahead of the November 7 deadline.

“We are currently training three days per week at Serani grounds where trials are also conducted and the team manager will let us know whom to sign.”

On his part, Coach Paul Ogai who is yet to join the team in pre-season is optimistic that they will rebuild the squad despite the challenges.

“Lack of sponsorship and losing players at the same time is hard but we have accepted it and we will be back stronger,”said Ogai.

Stima were unbeaten in the second leg last season, and had good prospects of fighting for a promotion slot but the abrupt ending of the league spoilt their plans.