Batts Awita Scores On Debut To Hand Murang'a Seal Dream Top-Flight Start
27th August 2023
The result leaves Seal flying in third place on the log.
- The new signing emerged from the bench to score on his debut for Murang'a Seal.
- Seal are only one of three sides to win on the opening day.
- Elsewhere, the three other games held across the league failed to produce goals.
Murang'a Seal might be the newest kids in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League block, but they are certainly not the ones to mess with.
On their very first day playing in the top-flight, the Murang'a based side, who are sponsored by lead gaming firm SportPesa, got off to a dream start after emerging triumphant following their 0-1 victory against fellow newbies Shabana FC in their clash staged at the Raila Amolo Odinga Stadium in Homabay on Sunday.
New signing Batts Awita proved to be just what the doctor ordered as the former Bidco United man emerged from the bench before scoring the all-important match winner that ensured a positive start to life in the premier league.
And it came in the most important of times in a match - 90th minute - when the opponent had almost zero chance of finding the response.
“I am not surprised with the win as many people think. Murang'a Seal is a very strong side with quality. We did not get to the Premier League by mere luck but by hard work and determination.
“In fact, I expected us to win by more than four goals if you look at the chances we missed. We take the win and build on it ahead of our next match. The journey has just begun,” head coach Gabriel 'Kingi' Njoroge remarked.
The win proved to be an even sweet feeling for Seal who got one over a Shabana side that beat them to the second tier National Super League title last season by four points as they both got promoted automatically courtesy of their first and second place finishes respectively.
As a result, Seal sit in third place after being one of only three sides, alongside Nzoia Sugar and Tusker, to manage an opening day win.
Elsewhere, the three other games held across the league failed to produce goals.
12-time champions AFC Leopards were left frustrated as they could not break down FC Talanta who were reduced to ten men on the hour mark when Lucas Waitere was shown a second yellow card.
Nairobi City Stars were also held by Muhoroni Youth while Posta Rangers and Bidco United posted similar results.