"Pull up your socks"- former Shabana defender tells ex-NSL goal machines after rocky FKFPL start

Darajani Gogo head coach Andrea Marco Ongwae has challenged last season's National Super League's top scorers to pull up their socks after failing to make impact in the opening three rounds of the top tier.

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At the end of the 2024/25 season, three of the NSL’s most prolific forwards earned moves to FKFPL sides.

Joint-top scorers Elias Mugane of Fortune Sacco and Veron Ombima of Darajani Gogo, who both netted 22 goals, joined AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia respectively, while third-placed scorer Timothy Ndayala signed for Mara Sugar.

Kibera Black Stars standout Eugene Chesara also moved up, joining Police FC

However, the transition has not been smooth.

Ombima is yet to make his debut for K’Ogalo due to injury, Ndayala has featured in three matches for Mara Sugar without finding the net, and Mugane is still waiting for his first appearance in an AFC Leopards shirt.

Ongwae, a former Shabana and Gor Mahia defender with over five years of second-tier coaching experience, believes the trio’s rise from the NSL is inspiring but insists they must work harder to prove themselves.

"It is a good move for the three players, and I am particularly happy for Timothy Ndayala, whom I coached at Samwest Blackboots last season,” Ongwae told Mozzart Sport.

"Last season they pushed each other every weekend, scoring goals that lifted their teams. But now they have to raise their game to show they belong at this level.”

The Gogo coach warned that the increased competition, brought about by the expansion of the foreign player quota in the league which now allows clubs to register up to seven foreigners, will make it harder for local forwards to secure playing time.

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"I have spoken to Ndayala and told him he has to put in extra work,” Ongwae said.

"Ombima and Mugane also have to work really hard. With the higher foreign player limit, most teams tend to go for attacking talent abroad.

For a Kenyan forward to thrive, he has to prove he can deliver week in, week out.”

He further added that success for the trio will depend on their attitude in training and their ability to seize opportunities.

"Breaking into the first eleven starts at the training ground, they must convince the coaches they are ready,” he said.

"When the chance to play comes, they must grab it with both hands and show the fans and coaches that they deserve that place.

There will be stiff competition, but with extra effort, they can make it.”

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The gaffer, who has previously managed Gusii, Samwest Blackboots, and now Darajani Gogo, believes that the players’ performances in the NSL were no fluke, but the top flight demands consistency and resilience.

"They were scoring regularly in the NSL,” he concluded.

"Now they need to prove they can keep scoring and be patient as they fight to become first-team regulars."