“We have our objectives as a club, but we don’t want to be over-ambitious. We want to be ready for the season and expect the best results,” said Warinda.
He added, “However, we want to compete and see how far we can go at the end of the season. We will not just compete but fight every day. The management has put a lot of investment in the team, and they expect better from us.”
Warinda, who joined the White Rhinos from the struggling Kisumu All Stars, said the second-tier league is tough.
“The NSL is difficult, but how we prepare is important. We started our pre-season two weeks ago, and so far, I’m happy with the progress,” stated the tactician.
Warinda, who is the national senior women’s football team assistant coach, added: “We are working on the team’s fitness and hope to align the players with my playing style.”
The team finished seventh in the league last season. “Finishing seventh on their debut season was fantastic,” noted the coach.
Dick Orongo has joined the club as strength and conditioning coach. He serves in the same role in the national U17 and U20 national teams. The club has also employed former Rainbow team manager Nicholas Atulo in the same capacity.
The club has recruited eight players and dropped the same number. Warinda raided his former employers, Kisumu All Stars, for Laban Otieno, Japhet Onyango, and Nelson Amunga. Other new signings are Nelvin Chapani and Bromwel Okola from Samitsi.
The club has also enlisted attackers Clinton Okoth from Migori Youth and Noah Jagongo (Mara Sugar). Bakari Temo also joined the NSL side from Kilifi-based Masato FC.
The club has parted ways with Eric Ongiri, Tony Nyang’or, Kevin Owidi, Collins Otieno, Leon Bodo, Clinton Okite, and Syphas Otieno.
Speaking on the new signings, Warinda said: “We sat down as a team and agreed to strengthen the areas where we identified weaknesses.”
