Munala braced up for Malkia Strikers challenge

Last month, Japheth Munala was elevated to the position of the Malkia Strikers' head coach, replacing Paul Bitok.

The change is aimed at allowing Bitok to focus on his administrative duties following his election as deputy president.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport after their first KVF national league match in Mosoriot, Nandi County, where KCB defeated Posta Bank 3-0, Munala pointed out that he was feeling at home already.

The veteran tactician, who also serves as the KCB women’s team coach, is not new to the position, as he served as the Malkia Strikers boss between 2015 and 2018.

His last task as Malkia Strikers boss was the 2018 World Championship in Japan. In 2019, when Bittok took over, he was named his assistant.

Munala will be assisted by Kenya Pipeline’s coach, Paul Gitau, and Kenya Prisons’ women's team coach, Josp Barasa.

"I have been the Kenyan coach, both head and assistant coach, for many years. I know the office, the ground, and how to do it. I have been there for more than 10 years," he told Mozzart Sport.

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His immediate assignment is the East Africa Community Games set for Rwanda on November 20–23.

"So far, so good. We are number one in Africa, and we should remain so. We will work hard to win the East African Community games in Rwanda, then we go for World African Games qualifiers, then All African Games before the Olympics," he offered.

The gaffer also gave his views on the new playoff format, noting that it would raise the competitive spirit to a whole new level.

This new season will see the playoffs adopt a different format from the round-robin showdown amongst the top four finishers that has determined the champions over the years.

Pairings will see the top-placed team take on the eighth-place side, second place taking on seventh place, the third side plays sixth, and the fourth-place finisher faces off with the fifth side for a place in the semis.

The semi-finals will be a best-of-three affair, with the teams bundled out in the quarters also facing off in 5 to 8 classification matches.

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This season’s champions will be decided in a knockout competition that will involve the top eight finishers at the conclusion of the regular league.

"The playoff system is not bad because you can lose one match accidentally, then recover in the second match before the final match. Remember, you are playing the best three for the playoffs, so first, second, and third games. If you lose the first one, you can adjust and win the second, and then go for the final one. It is the best season so far, and we are embracing it," he concluded.

The tactician will be looking to lead KCB to defy the odds and reclaim the KVF national league they won after a 3-1 win over immediate former champions Kenya Pipeline.