NSL: Odhiambo optimistic Nairobi United's season won’t be derailed by match postponements

Nairobi United head coach Paul Odhiambo is sanguine that Nairobi United won’t be affected by the congestion of fixtures as a result of postponed matches by the Football Kenya Federation.

United, who are in their maiden National Super League (NSL) campaign, had their matches against Gusii FC and Mathare United put off after Zoo FC whom they had defeated in the chaotic FKF Division One promotion play offs staged in Nakuru couple of months ago, moved to court contradicting the decision of the football governing body in the country to award the Naiboi’s the match and instilled other hefty sanctions on the Kericho based outfit.

Nairobi who gained promotion at their first time of asking in the third tier returned to action two weeks ago playing out stalemates against Silibwet Leons and Migori Youth further slowing down their purist for promotion early in the campaign.

The former Kakamega Homeboyz net buster now hopes that the Nick Mwendwa led federation will find away of ensuring the postponed matches are effectively played not taking a toil on his side as they seek to grab one of the available two promotion slots at the conclusion of the season.

“We had a break forced two weeks break after we recorded two consecutive wins and everyone at the club was buzzing for more wins. I hope the federation will arrange the postponed fixtures in a manner which is conducive to us and allow us competing without getting fatigued,” Odhiambo said.

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The ex-Kangemi All Stars gaffer added that he was preparing his charges mentally for the battle ahead to ensure they are set to rise to the occasion when called upon.

“Football is funny game full of unpredicted scenarios, someone can just wake up and restructure the matches depending on how the calendar looks in a few months. Therefore, I am preparing my boys psychologically to be ready in case we are called up to task. We are not leaving any stone unturned, it is our season and w must be ready to play like champions,” he added.

The NSL money bags have enjoyed a splendid season since their elevation to the second tier, winning two matches while playing two stalemates a performance that places them eleventh on the league standings and the Kenya Premier League winner with Gor Mahia in 2013 is not tranquilizing till he takes control of the championship.

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“If you look at how we have started the season there is at least some hope in doing well. I am not going to relax and I have made the message clear to the playing out that we must grind until the final day to ensure we lead this league and get ourselves top flight status, which is achievable from where we are right now,” he concluded.

The set date for the postponed fixtures against Gusii FC and Mathare United is yet to be confirmed as the league debutants intensify preparations ahead of their league encounter with the veterans Mulembe United on Saturday in their NSL round 7 game.