Promoted National Super League side Kabati Youth FC head coach Joel Mungai has ruled out overhauling their squad ahead of their second-tier debut.
Mungai will stick with the players who helped the team gain promotion.
However, he will sign two or three experienced players.
“The players will not just walk into the first 11, but must fight with the youthful players I have. Our squad’s average age is 23, comprising players mostly from Murang’a County,” said the tactician.
They will give a good account of themselves.
“Being debutants, we are underdogs. However, we shall shock many people,” he said.
He will not pressure his players but has promised they will qualify for the Kenyan Premier League in less than two seasons.
“We are not going to stay in NSL for long, and we are not going to be relegated. Our target is to play in the Premier League in two years,” he added. Kabati is the third team from the Mount Kenya Region to play in the NSL.
Others are Kianyaga-based Fortune Sacco, and Embu’s 3K FC.
“Having three teams in the NSL and one in the FKF Premier League is a confirmation that football is growing in the Mount Kenya region,” the tactician averred.
He is optimistic that their home ground, Mukerenju Primary in Kabati, will host their games.
“Our home ground is being upgraded. It will be ready by the start of the new season,” said Mungai.
The club, popularly known as ‘The Bees’, qualified for the NSL after garnering 56 points in FKF Division One Zone 'A'.
They won 16 games, drew eight, and lost four. Coast-based Bombani FC finished second with 48 points.
