Nicholas Muyoti Hails Return of Harambee Stars Utility Man as Boost to Nairobi United's Top-Four Push

Nairobi United head coach Nicholas Muyoti has expressed his delight at the return of versatile player Manzur Suleiman Okwaro, believing his comeback will be crucial in the team's push for a top-four finish in their debut Kenyan Premier League season.

Manzur Okwaro, who had been sidelined with a partial tear of the right distal biceps femoris tendon, rejoined full-team training last week.

While he was rested for the weekend match against Murang'a Seal as a precaution, he featured for 45 minutes in the subsequent game against Tusker FC on Wednesday.

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Muyoti explained that the Harambee Stars player's return is a significant relief for a squad that has been struggling defensively, having lost four consecutive matches across both the Premier League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

"I am happy Manzur is back," Muyoti stated as quoted by Citizen Digital. "Today, I decided to give him some minutes and felt it was best to start him and then substitute him. It wasn't that he couldn't have played 90 minutes, but it was purely a precautionary measure. He has just returned to fitness, and we didn't want to risk any setbacks."

The coach highlighted Manzur Okwaro's value, noting his experience and adaptability. "In the next match, we will see if it's possible to give him more minutes. He is a big boost to us because we want him to bring the international experience he gained at CHAN 2024 into the team," Muyoti added.

"We are lucky to have him back because he offers us more. Besides playing at the back, he can also be deployed offensively, and we can benefit from that versatility."

Currently, Nairobi United is in 11th place on the league table after 10 rounds, although they have four games in hand. Muyoti, a former Thika United player, is now urging his team to be more clinical in front of goal to improve their standing.

"We have created so many chances, and had we converted them, I feel we would have put five goals past Tusker," he reflected.

"We now need to go back to the drawing board and sharpen our goal-poaching skills. If we capitalise on our chances and continue to defend well, the team will do well and move up the standings."

The team's continental campaign has also been challenging. Nairobi United sits at the bottom of their CAF Confederation Cup group after losing their opening two matches, 3-0 away to Wydad Casablanca and 1-0 at home against AS Maniema Union.