Owoko welcomes sponsorship deal, tips Vihiga Bullets to flourish in the league

Vihiga Bullets head coach George Owoko has welcomed the new sponsorship deal at the club in equal measures after the team had a rude initiation to the second tier following relegation from the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL).

Bullets were demoted to what is regarded as toughest league on the soil after a dismal performance in the 2022-2023 season that saw them collect twelve points from 33 league matches.

The return to the NSL was however, not easy as expected as the club faced a massive exodus of players from their camp ignited by the financial hardship the players went through at the former premier league side.

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The Kaduna-based club was forced into hurried player registration that has had a cut in the team’s performance this term which coach Awoko attributes it to low morale from his charges aggravated by lack of financial support as the club patron has dried his wheel besides the well-wisher’s pockets.

After weeks of uncertainty at the club, finally, a white smoke can be seen from the hilly Kaduna after the club secured a sponsorship partnership with unnamed firm with the details of the deal set to be made clear on Friday.

According to the gaffer the deal comes in handy at the time the team was on the verge of collapse and were close to issuing out a walkover in their weekend match against Mara Sugar and further indicates that it will act as a morale booster to his young assembled team.

“It is true we have sealed a deal with a firm in Nairobi that will see them foot most of our bills this season and even offer allowances to our players. As we all know the NSL is tough without a sponsor and our patron was almost giving up so this deal is much welcomed at our club,” offered Awoko.

“When the team is struggling financially it is tough for the players even to get self-motivation and give their best in the field with this deal each player is assured of a winning allowance and timing allowances which is going to be reflected by the way we play our matches going forward,” added the former Nairobi Stima coach.

The experienced expert further urged with his counter parts in the coaching fraternity to be vigilant and help in the fight against match fixing in our football noting that a lot of cases go under the carpet due to coaches unwillingness to face the bull by its horn and uproot the vice completely in our midst.

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“I call out all our Kenyan coaches to be firm in the fight against match manipulation most of them know what is happening in the corridors but because of fear and losing jobs they are not ready to come and speak. Let’s fight together to end this vice in the country you never know who is watching you,” urged the ex MOFA expert.

Awoko has also pleaded with Bullets fans to be vigilant and attend all the club matches as the team gears towards a one-time return to the FKF Premier League despite a slow start to the season.

“It is not late, anything can happen in football and therefore we not out yet of the promotion race let the fans come and we won’t disappoint them.”

Bullets have lost three of their opening five matches and boast of the worst goal ratio in the league a result that leaves them two points off the red zone but have a chance to recollect and changes their fortunes as they host Mombasa Stars on Saturday at the Mumias Sports Complex.

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