Mururi delinks Vihiga's poor run from financial challenges

Vihiga United head coach Mike Mururi has downplayed the impact financial challenges the team is currently facing has had on the performance of the team. 

United is currently second from bottom with a paltry 12 points and is at serious risk of getting relegated from the FKF Premier League if they do not turn their fortunes around soonest.

The woeful run has largely been attributed to money issues at the club as the players and coaching staff haven't been paid for months and this resulted in some key players exiting in January while coach Sam Okoth threw in the towel last month 

Mururi returned to the team after Okoth's exit with the sole target of ensuring that the team earns another season in the top flight. Things however haven't gone his way as he has suffered two defeats and a draw in the three games that he has been in charge of the team. 

Asked whether the financial challenges are to blame for the woeful run, Mururi poured cold water on the issue. 

"I don't really believe that financial challenges can make players and a team perform badly. I have been to teams with money challenges but still delivered so for me it's not an issue. I remember while at Chemelil, players had not been paid for around 8 months but we finished in 4th position and I was even named coach of the year so for me the poor run is down to mistakes that we have been making in matches," he told Mozzart Sport.

He went further to challenge his players to focus on winning games saying that they will get funds once the treasury releases funds. The team is funded by the Vihiga County government.

"When the money is available they will definitely be paid but for now they need to get their minds back to the pitch fully. When the treasury releases money the country will pay them and so this should be an issue that affects performance. For me, they have let the money issue, which is not very important get into their heads and they are not playing as they should, "he added. 

Mururi adds that instead of the players focusing on the financial challenges the team is facing, they should use Vihiga United as a platform to get better teams that will pay them handsomely. 

"They should understand that football is their profession. They should look at the bigger picture, there's a lot of exposure of the league right now, they have a platform here at Vihiga United and they should use it well. They can easily be spotted by other teams where they will go and earn a lot of money so for now it should not be a priority for them," he concluded.

Vihiga United is currently second last in the FKF PL table.