Murang'a Seal players during a past training session/HANDOUT Murang’a Seal are raising the stakes ahead of the 2026/27 Sportpesa League season after an ambitious recruitment drive designed to transform the club from a mid-table outfit into genuine contenders for a place among the league’s top sides.
The Kiharu-based club finished eighth last season with 47 points after winning 13, drawing eight and losing 13 of their 34 matches. The management believes there is enough quality in the revamped squad to mount a stronger challenge this time around.
The team has undergone significant changes during the off-season, with experienced players recruited alongside promising young talent as the club seeks to build a squad capable of competing consistently at the upper end of the table.
Head coach Dennis Odhiambo says the immediate priority is to ensure the new arrivals quickly understand the club’s playing philosophy while developing the unity required for a long league campaign.
“We are building, but the squad is looking sharp and ready. The most important thing now is to bring everyone together and make sure the new players understand how we want to play,” Odhiambo said.
Seal have strengthened several areas of the squad, with former KCB captain Nashon Alembi expected to provide leadership and experience in defence. Midfielder Abubakar Kulola, winger Elvin Barasa and Michael Macharia have also joined the club alongside Lucas Maina and Nicholas Omondi from Ulinzi Stars.
Odhiambo believes the blend of experience and youthful energy could give the team a different dimension this season as the technical bench works to create greater competition for places.
“We have brought in players with different qualities and that is important for us. We want competition in every position because it pushes players to improve and gives the coach more options,” he said.
The club has also invested in the future, signing attacking midfielder Ian Mahonga and 19-year-old Tanzanian central defender Steven Kimaro from Laiser Hill Academy.
Their arrival reflects Seal’s growing emphasis on developing young talent while surrounding emerging players with experienced professionals capable of guiding them through the demands of top-flight football.
“We want young players to have an opportunity, but they also need experienced players around them. That combination can help us build something sustainable rather than only looking at the immediate results,” Odhiambo said.
Seal ended last season strongly, winning three of their final four matches against Kakamega Homeboyz, Bidco United and Mara Sugar, a run that has provided encouragement ahead of the new campaign.
The club’s defensive record, however, remains an area for improvement after conceding 42 goals in the league while keeping eight clean sheets.
Odhiambo wants his side to become more tactically flexible, with greater balance between attacking ambition and defensive organisation.
“We cannot depend on one way of playing. We have to be flexible, because different opponents will demand different solutions. We want to attack, but we also have to remain disciplined when we lose the ball,” he said.
The coach has also placed emphasis on the psychological side of the game, arguing that consistency will be critical if Seal are to move above eighth.
“The difference this season must be in our mentality. We have to believe that we belong higher up the table and show that belief in every match, not only when we are playing the big teams,” he said.
Seal’s preparations have included a training camp in Arusha, although the club withdrew from the Tanzanite Pre-Season International Tournament because of organisational challenges while remaining in Tanzania to continue preparations.
Despite the disruption, Odhiambo says the camp has provided valuable time for the technical bench to work with the new-look squad.
“Pre-season is about more than playing matches. It is about understanding the players, improving our structure and building relationships within the team. We are using this period to correct the things that affected us last season,” he said.
The coach is also aware that expectations have risen following the recruitment drive, but insists the pressure can be converted into motivation.
“We know people expect more from us this season, and that is normal when a club brings in new players and sets higher targets. We must accept that responsibility and respond on the pitch,” Odhiambo said.
“We are not preparing simply to participate. Our target is to improve on what we achieved last season, compete with the best teams and give our supporters a team they can be proud of."
