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Title contenders? Murang’a Seal’s super recovery
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omalla (left) tussles with Murang’a Seal’s Marvin Brian during their FKF Premier League match in November at MISC, Kasarani.
After the first 10 matches of this season’s Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL), Murang’a Seal’s biggest worry was not how to win the title, but how to stay in the competition.
However, another 10 matches later, the situation has changed dramatically, with the Murang’a County-based side now among the serious title contenders in the 18-team league.
After 20 matches, Gor Mahia top the standings with 43 points, followed by AFC Leopards with 37 points from 19 matches. Shabana are third with 34 points from 20 matches, while Murang’a Seal are fourth with 33 points from the same number of matches.
This is a stark contrast for Murang’a Seal compared to where coach Osborne Monday’s side were after the opening ten matches of the season.
Having recorded just two wins and four draws, Murang’a were placed 16th with 10 points.
They were only three points ahead of the bottom-placed Kariobangi Sharks. The team’s turnaround began when Osborne Monday was appointed head coach in October last year.
The 39-year-old former Harambee Stars midfielder had been serving as assistant coach to Don Otieno, who was dismissed due to the team’s poor performances. In his first match in charge, Monday guided the team to a 2–2 draw away at Posta Rangers, and then to a 2–1 victory over KCB in their next league match.
Monday remained unbeaten for 10 consecutive matches, a streak that was ultimately ended by Gor, who staged a comeback to win 3-2 on January 14.
Since then, the team has won all four subsequent league matches.
Overall, Murang’a Seal have lost just once, recorded eight wins and six draws in their 15 matches under Monday. In a previous interview, the former Tusker and Sofapaka player attributed his team’s improvement to a change in formation.
“In Kenya, many teams love to play defensive football, but I prefer an attacking style. We don’t mind conceding so long as we come out on top at the end of the game. The change in formation has been of great help,” he said at the time.
In a previous interview with Nation Sport, Joseph Waithira, the Murang’a Seal captain who tops the FKF-PL scorers’ chart with 13 goals, said that Monday has been instrumental in the team’s change of fortune as they strive for success.
“He has instilled confidence in the team and given the players the freedom to enjoy themselves. His approach suits most of us. He also emphasises the importance of sticking to the game plan,” said Waithira.
The captain said that their goal this season is to win either the FKF-PL title or the Mozzart Bet Cup.
Speaking after his side’s hard-fought 3-2 win over bottom-placed Sofapaka on Sunday, Monday said that he would work on improving their communication. He said that communication issues on the pitch had allowed Batoto ba Mungu to score an easy goal.
Murang’a were promoted to the top-flight league in June 2023, having finished second in the National Super League. In their maiden appearance in the FKF-PL in 2023/24, the club finished 13th with 38 points, while Gor won the title with 73 points.
Last season, Murang’a finished 13th once again with 37 points, while Kenya Police clinched the title with 65 points.
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