Veteran keeper Saruni invoking better tidings for hapless soldiers

Ulinzi Stars experienced shot stopper James Saruni is confident that the 2022/2023 Football Kenya Federation Premier League will hold better tidings for the four time Kenyan champions who have struggled to leave their mark in recent campaigns.

In last season’s 2021/2022 campaign, the Soldiers, who won their last league crown in 2010, battled relegation for a majority of the time but managed to secure their top-flight status weeks into the conclusion of the campaign as they finished a disappointing 13th on the log, just nine points above the relegation zone.

In the previous two full seasons before that, the team finished in tenth and eighth respectively as the gap between them and the top teams widened.

Heading into the new season however, Saruni, who is the club captain, has expressed optimism in the preparations they have made as he insists that their target is to move away from the bottom half of the table.

“So far we have had a lot of positives in our preseason. We have new players and a new technical bench this season which give us a lot of confidence. We are very much okay and we think we are ready judging by the matches we have already played in preparation.

The last time we won the league was in 2010 and we have been trying as much as possible to replicate that feat but it has not been possible. This season however, we have a lot of hope that we can get back to that level. We cannot promise heaven but we are hopeful and expectant that we will do well,” the player told Mozzart Sport.

Having scored only 21 goals in 32 matches, the second lowest in the league last season, the Soldiers have been boosted by the acquisition of 2021/2022 National Super League top scorer Elly Saenyi who scored 26 league goals for Mwatate United, Mara Sugar attacking midfielder Ruben Mita and Bidco United defensive midfielder Jacob ‘Yobo’ Onyango.

Skilled attacking midfielder Boniface Muchiri has also been reintegrated back to the team after completing his military duties alongside Hillary Simiyu who was Nzoia Sugar's top scorer during the 2020/2021 campaign - scoring eight goals to help the Millers survive relegation narrowly then – before joining.

Mozzart Sport understands that immediate former Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Bernard Mwalala is set to be named the new Ulinzi Stars head coach for the new campaign.

Exclusive: Former Homeboyz coach Bernard Mwalala set to take over at Ulinzi Stars