FKF Premier League side Nairobi City Stars will retain most of their players for the 2024/25 season, the club's chief executive officer, Patrick Korir has said.
In a statement issued on Monday, Korir said he is looking forward to an improved performance in the upcoming season. Simba wa Nairobi finished fifth on the log after accumulating 50 points.
"We are disappointed not to have held on to a 2-0 lead following Yuto Kusaba's clinical goals and losing 3-2 to KCB in the season-ender. Had we won the game, we could have ended up fourth thus improving the two previous fifth places," said Korir.
He added: "Nonetheless, we will pick the positives from the just concluded season. A sixth-place finish is very respectable considering we finished 15th the previous season—surviving relegation by a whisker."
He said some youthful players who were signed from lower-tier teams exceeded expectations and are also looking forward to another season in the top-tier league.
"This season, we had a team full of youngsters from the lower divisions and most of them have proved themselves and can only get better come the next season," said the CEO.
He hailed the technical bench led by coach Nicholas Muyoti for building a team comprising mostly inexperienced players.
"I thank the technical bench for building a formidable team from relatively the unknowns and a team devoid of experience and also for setting a record of seven straight wins along the way," noted Korir.
Separately, Sofapaka booked a playoff slot after a 3-1 win over relegated Nzoia Sugar. They will face either Naivas or Nairobi United. The clubs are third and fourth respectively in the second-tier league.
The first leg of the playoff will be on July 6, 2024, and the second on July 14, 2024.
The NSL will conclude this weekend with Naivas travelling to Kwale for a date with SS Assad and Nairobi United playing relegated Silibwet Leons.
Naivas are third with 73 points and need a win in Kwale to guarantee a play-off slot while Nairobi United will need a win and pray that Naivas slip up.