Monday, January 20

Soccer Report for Preseason


Planets taking the mandatory preseason beep test

Jan. 31, 2014 
LIGI NDOGO, Ngong’ Rd. – LIGI NDOGO Planets soccer was the fourth best team in the 2013 Division One Zone A group 1.The team was back on the 13th for preseason practice, assembling on ground  for the opening of its annual training camp Monday morning.
Bernard Ndichu served as caretaker from 2nd September to 9th November 2013 and put together a solid 7-2-1 record after the departure Michael Kamure.Coach Kamure had an overall record of 49-30-15 in three years at the club (52.13%).
The team welcomes back ten starters from last season's side, including the team leaders in goals (John Njoroge, 12), assist (Samuel Machio, 18), Most appearances (Brian Kimechwa, 47) as well as most-minutes played (Phillip Mbaeme, 3060).
Central defender Arthur Weyula graduates to the premier league and will turn out for promoted Top Fry Allstars.Leonard Ochieng and Edgar Omollo will feature for provincial side, Kibera All Stars on waiver and loan respectively.
Five year veteran Samuel Machio was selected as team captain and served in that capacity throughout the 2013 season. 
The team put together a 12-5-5 record, highlighted by a five match win streak in November over K.R.A, (1 during that period),Mahakama (5) and Bidco United (2) to sprint from sixth to fourth and qualify for Super league soccer .Striker Thomas Lugera is expected back to the roster after going on loan to Coast United Mikhail Mwaniki,the longest serving member of the academy is expected to return to the active roster after sitting out most of the 2013 season due to personal matters.
Seven transfers are expected to join the Planet program this season. Among them is Kibera Celtic centre, Isaac Omari a replacement for Weyula ,three midfielders,two forwards and  and a goalkeeper. Most notable will be former Planet keeper, Charles Ouma who is back from premier side Muhoroni Youth after a one year hiatus.
In keeping with tradition,three players will be promoted from the lower Ligi Ndogo teams.Right back Brian Ochieng (23) will be promoted from the Foundation team while midfielders Kibet Kilele (17),Kamaru Waiyaki (17) and Sheikh Remy (15) will be promoted from the Ligi Ndogo under 17 side that featured in the Keele cup,UK over the past five years.
A major part of the Planets’ title quest this season will depend on the consistency of their back four, a constantly improving unit that conceded only 7 goals in the second half of the season compared to 15 in the first leg.
The team will play its home games at its Ngong Rd centre where it played its last five matches in season 2013 and went 4-1..
Read more on Planet season 2013 by clicking  this link