Rookie Nzoia forward sets lofty target for self

Fast-rising Nzoia Sugar forward Hillary Simiyu says he will be targeting to net at least eight goals in the second leg of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF PL).

Nzoia plucked the forward from Division One side Bungoma Superstars in February as a replacement to the towering Eric Otieno who decamped to Wazito.

Despite his lack of top flight experience, Simiyu who opened his goal account in the league and club during their 2-1 loss to Tusker has displayed flashes of brilliance in front of the goal and has been touted to fill the shoes left by Elvis Rupia in 2018.

The goal poacher says he has since adapted to the top flight and will be seeking to add seven goals in the second leg and help the sugar millers rub shoulders with the top ten teams.

“Even though I am less than five rounds old in the league, I feel I can meet my target of eight goals this season. The support from my teammates and the technical bench gives me the confidence to set such lofty targets. I am certain that I will make it provided that the team is creating scoring chances,” he said.

Simiyu who joined Nzoia alongside Kevin Wafula another attack minded player in the meanwhile explained what attracted him to ditch Superstars for the top flight side.

He said making the decision was simple as he had worked under coach Ibrahim Shikanda at Superstars in 2018 and hence could not turn down the opportunity to reunite with him.

Shikanda left Superstars in August 2019 for Bandari where he served as an assistant coach until June last year. He was appointed Nzoia head coach in January this year.

“I worked under Shikanda in 2018 and when he called me, I did not think twice. He is a coach who understands my strengths and weaknesses and he is the reason I have settled quickly in the league,” he added.