Migori Youth head coach Salim Babu/HANDOUT Migori Youth coach Salim Babu is confident his charges can make a winning start to their SportPesa League campaign when they host Kenya Police at Green Stadium in Awendo on Sunday.
The 3 pm kick-off marks Migori Youth’s debut in the top flight after they won the National Super League title last season, but Babu is unfazed by the challenge posed by the 2024/25 champions.
“We have prepared well. They don't know us, but I know one thing — we are going for the win,” he said. The fixture will also see Babu face his former employers as he seeks to guide the newly promoted side to a memorable start.
Although Migori Youth are still building their squad, the coach believes they have enough talent to compete, with instilling confidence among his players a key priority.
“This is a team we are still building. The main thing we are trying to do is build their confidence because the talent is there,” he said. Migori Youth offered encouraging signs in pre-season, holding reigning champions Gor Mahia to a 2-2 draw before losing on penalties.
However, Babu knows his side must improve defensively and learn to manage matches better as they adapt to the demands of top-flight football. “We have good players who are willing to learn and improve. What matters now is how quickly we can adapt to the demands of this league and compete consistently,” he said.
Despite their ambition to begin with a victory, Migori Youth's primary objective is to retain their top-flight status in their debut season. “We want to avoid fighting relegation in the final minutes of the season. That is our main goal,” Babu said.
Kenya Police, meanwhile, travel to Awendo seeking a strong start after an off-season overhaul that has seen several key players leave the club. Coach Nicholas Muyoti has had to reshape his squad following the departures of Harambee Stars defenders Abud Omar, who joined Tusker, and Daniel Sakari, who moved to Gor Mahia.
The Law Enforcers have responded by recruiting several players, including foreign signings, as they seek to remain competitive in the domestic game. However, Muyoti wants his side to become more clinical in front of goal after struggling to convert chances during pre-season.
"Our focus will now shift to the training ground as we look to improve the team's efficiency in front of goal,” he said. The coach is encouraged by the quality of his recruits, particularly central defender Christophe Ouattara, whom he describes as a promising addition.
“Ouattara is quite solid and promising. We have brought in players who can help us, and the important thing is for them to settle quickly and understand how we want to play,” he said.
Muyoti is also confident that the club has adequately addressed the departures, with returning right-back Yusuf Mainge and new signing Levin Odhiambo expected to bolster the defence.
“It is sad that we have lost some very good players. But if they get a better place, a better offer, we bless them. We have got some replacements,” he said.
Sunday's encounter will provide an early test of Migori Youth's ability to compete at the highest level while allowing Kenya Police an opportunity to assess how quickly their revamped squad can gel.
For Babu, the priority is turning his team's promise into points. Muyoti, meanwhile, will be looking for greater attacking efficiency as Police begin their campaign.
