Zico increases pressure and expectations at Posta Rangers

SportPesa League side Posta Rangers are determined to put last season's struggles behind them, with new recruits and renewed ambition fuelling their bid to stay clear of the relegation fight.

The Nairobi-based club narrowly avoided the drop last season, finishing 15th with 40 points after a difficult campaign that pushed the team to its limits.

Head coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno is now targeting more than mere survival as he works to develop a more structured, consistent and attack-minded team.

Otieno returned to the club in April with Posta Rangers already embroiled in the relegation battle, leaving little time for long-term planning. His immediate objective was simply to stabilise the side and secure its top-flight status.

A convincing 3-0 victory over Sofapaka provided some much-needed relief, although it also highlighted the scale of the rebuilding job ahead. Otieno recognises that establishing his tactical ideas will require time, something he did not have during the closing stages of the previous campaign.

“It is difficult because, as a coach, you need time to execute your plan,” he said. “Right now, it is a crash programme, which we are trying very hard to adapt.”

The experience has influenced Posta's preparations for the new season, with the club making several additions to a squad that managed just 31 goals in 34 league matches last term.

Among the newcomers are winger Rodgers Oporia Angal, midfielder Brian Ochieng, attacking midfielder Tedy Dok, Joseph Akwanda and Isaac Wasambo. The recruitment is aimed at increasing squad depth and giving Otieno greater attacking variety.

However, the coach knows that bringing in new players is only the first step. Integrating them into his system and ensuring they understand their roles will be crucial to Posta's progress.

“We planned to score the first goal, then manage the game,” Otieno said after the victory over Sofapaka, outlining the approach that helped deliver one of his early wins following his return.

Captain Dinken Mwema believes the squad also gained valuable experience from last season's difficult spells, particularly the importance of maintaining concentration and resilience during key moments.

“We have the fighting spirit, and that gives us morale even as we head into the final stages,” Mwema said during the team's revival last season.

The defender experienced first-hand the team's lengthy struggles without a win before Posta eventually regained their confidence. He believes the turnaround was partly driven by the players accepting collective responsibility for improving their situation.

“We agreed as players to turn things around, and once it was a resolve of everyone, you can see the results,” Mwema said.

That collective mentality will be vital if the Mailmen are to avoid another extended relegation battle. Mwema says the squad remained together despite the pressure, creating a platform from which they can build this season.

“There is self-belief in every member of the team,” he said. “Everyone believes that we have what it takes to be in a better position.”

The new signings are also expected to intensify competition for starting positions. Oporia offers additional pace on the wings, while the midfield additions could improve creativity and progression through the middle of the pitch.

“The new players have also brought in some positive impact,” Mwema said. “The competition for places makes the team even better.”

That competition aligns with Otieno's broader objective of taking Posta beyond simply fighting relegation. The coach wants his side to control games more effectively, create a greater number of opportunities and become more clinical in front of goal.

Defensive consistency will also remain a major priority. Posta surrendered points from favourable positions on several occasions last season, with lapses in concentration proving costly.

“Our problem has been lack of concentration, and this has seen us lose points from winning positions,” he said. “It is something we need to address moving forward so that we can be able to bag maximum points.”

Off the pitch, the club has secured a one-year sponsorship agreement worth Sh7 million with Play Master Kenya, providing additional financial support for operations and squad development.

With fresh investment, a strengthened squad and the benefit of a full pre-season under Otieno, Posta Rangers have an opportunity to turn the lessons of last season into a more stable and competitive campaign.