New MCF coach Chege says it's difficult but possible to survive relegation

Newly appointed MCF coach Francis Chege (R) with FKF Technical Director Francis Kimanzi/HANDOUT

Mully Children’s Family FC’s newly appointed coach, Francis Chege, believes it is possible—but difficult—to steer the team away from relegation in the FKF National Super League.

MCF sit 19th in the 20-team table with 13 points from 20 matches, level with bottom-placed Vihiga United FC. The Ndalani-based side turned to Chege, formerly of 3K FC, in a bid to revive their struggling campaign. Chege will take charge of his first match when MCF host newcomers Gucha Stars FC at the MCF Complex in Ndalani, Machakos County.

“We are currently in the danger zone. However, we are ready to compete and improve. I want to make MCF a hard team to beat,” said the tactician. “We are not looking at the table at the moment. We want to improve day by day in training and game by game,” he added.

Chege noted that survival is still within reach, pointing out that the team has nine home matches and eight away fixtures remaining. According to him, winning at least eight of those games could significantly boost their chances of staying up.

The club had briefly withdrawn from the league earlier in the season but was later readmitted following the intervention of Mohammed Hussein. Currently, only 16 players are in camp, though Chege expects the squad to grow as some players return.

“Most key players left. However, I will use the ones currently at my disposal. I expect some players who had not been officially released to return,” he said.

Elsewhere in Saturday’s fixtures, Equity Bank FC will be seeking to bounce back to winning ways when they travel to Bungoma to face Nzoia Sugar FC at Sudi Stadium.

Mwatate United FC will host fellow strugglers Kisumu All Stars FC in a relegation battle at Wundanyi Stadium, while Kibera Black Stars FC take on Vihiga United at Gems Cambridge in Karen.

Other matches will see FC Talanta host Darajani Gogo FC at Dandora Stadium, while Naivas FC face Nairobi City Stars at the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology grounds.

Fortune Sacco FC, coached by Vincent Nyaberi, will be at home against Luanda Villa FC. Sunday fixtures include 3K FC versus MOFA FC at Moi Stadium in Embu, Mombasa United FC hosting Kabati Youth FC at Kwale Stadium, and Migori Youth FC taking on Soy United FC at Green Stadium in Awendo. MCF will round off the weekend’s action against Gucha Stars at the MCF Complex in Ndalani.