KCB coach names two clubs NSL teams should emulate in bid to secure Premier League promotion

Veteran tactician and KCB FC assistant coach Paul Ogai has shared valuable lessons for clubs hoping to escape the National Super League (NSL), urging teams to follow the examples set by newly-promoted sides Migori Youth and 3K FC.

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Ogai, who boasts vast experience in Kenya's second tier, believes promotion is rarely achieved through talent alone and says that proper planning, professionalism, and stability behind the scenes are often the difference between success and failure.

The tactician, who currently serves as Robert Matano's assistant at KCB, understands the demands of the NSL better than most.

Before joining the Bankers, he spent three seasons at Darajani Gogo, helping transform the Nairobi-based side into promotion contenders.

Working alongside Andrea Ongwae, he guided Gogo to a seventh-place finish in the 2022/23 season before improving to sixth place the following campaign.

His best performance came in the 2024/25 season when he finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a promotion/relegation playoff spot after being separated from Naivas only by goal difference.

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Having experienced the highs and lows of the promotion race, the gaffer believes clubs must establish strong structures if they are to compete consistently.

"You need to have a plan in place and operate professionally if you are to come out of this league or if you are to be competitive," he told Mozzart Sport.

The coach spoke on the sidelines of the Mozzart Bet Cup third-place playoff between KCB and Bandari at Kwale Stadium, where he emphasised that successful campaigns are often built on simple fundamentals.

"This starts from the way you train and handle your players. Just do your work diligently and ensure everything is in place. If it is training balls, they should be available. A smooth running of things makes the work easier," he explained.

He also pointed to Migori Youth and 3K FC as examples that other NSL clubs should study closely ahead of the new campaign.

The two clubs completed remarkable transformations within a short period.

During the 2024/25 season, 3K finished ninth with 47 points in their debut NSL campaign, while Migori ended the season in 12th place with 43 points as both sides battled to remain competitive in the division.

Less than a year later, the two teams have rewritten their histories: Migori secured the NSL title while 3K finished runners-up, with both earning promotion to the FKF Premier League for the first time.

"For example, look at where Migori and 3K FC were last season. They were fighting to survive, but right now they are champions and runners-up because they planned well, reinforced where necessary, and walked the journey together," said Ogai.

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The former Agro Chemicals coach is no stranger to promotion battles. In 2018, he guided Western Stima to the NSL title, securing automatic promotion to the Kenyan Premier League.

His coaching journey has also included stints with Palos FC, Coast Stima, Kisumu All Stars, Kibera Black Stars, Agro Chemicals, and Darajani Gogo, making him one of the most experienced tacticians in Kenya's second-tier football landscape.

Drawing from those experiences, the gaffer maintains that clubs seeking promotion must look beyond tactics and match-day performances.

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According to him, sustainable success starts with planning, discipline, proper recruitment, and creating an environment that allows players and technical staff to focus on football.