Why Ulinzi Stars coach remains confident of surviving relegation
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 15.05.26. | 15:24
Ulinzi's last three games are against Tusker, Mathare United and finally Posta Rangers
Interim Ulinzi Stars head coach Mulinge Ndeto has challenged his players to rediscover the club’s attacking identity as they fight to avoid relegation from the FKF Premier League, insisting the remaining fixtures must be approached like "finals."
The soldiers are enduring one of the toughest campaigns, in their recent history, with a string of poor performances and managerial changes dragging them into a survival battle they have rarely faced since earning promotion to the top tier in 1998.
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The club has already gone through two coaching changes this season, with both Dunstan Nyaudo and former title-winning captain Steve Ochola dismissed as Ulinzi struggled to find consistency in a difficult campaign.
Ulinzi’s struggles deepened on Wednesday following a 2-0 loss to AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium, with Kelly Madada and Emmanuel Lwangu scoring for Ingwe.
The result left the soldiers 16th on the table with 32 points, one behind Kariobangi Sharks, with only three matches left to play.
Even so, Ndeto remains optimistic that the team can preserve its top-flight status.
“Despite having a young squad, I know we are up to the task. We are heading back to the drawing board to strategize for these matches, starting with the Tusker game. I want our boys to believe we can survive this scare,” he said.
The tactician stressed that maximum effort will be required from his players in the final stretch of the season.
“We must try our level best because we do not have time to dwell on our current position. It is now up to the players to do what is necessary if they still want to maintain our top-flight status.
“My job is to prepare them and boost their morale. Ulinzi Stars is too big a club for the lower division. I believe survival is possible because this is football and anything can happen,” he added.
Ulinzi head into the closing stages of the campaign in poor form, having collected only two wins, one draw, and three defeats from their last six league outings.
“We have a very young squad that is bound to make mistakes, and that is why we lost today’s match. Leopards’ experience won them the game. All we need now is to forget this match as quickly as possible and focus on the next three finals.”
The 2010 league champions now face a demanding run-in, beginning with a clash against seventh-placed Tusker before decisive relegation battles against Mathare United and Posta Rangers to conclude the season.