Kibera Black Stars Head Coach Idd Badi has issued a defiant message to his National Super League (NSL) rivals, insisting the slum boys are "firmly in the race" for Premier League promotion despite a mid-season slump. With five new signings and a tactical reset, Badi is betting on a second-leg resurgence.

In the unforgiving trenches of Kenya's second-tier football, hope is a dangerous currency. Yet, despite sitting eighth on the log with 27 points, Coach Idd Badi is doubling down. The veteran tactician believes the mathematical possibility of a top-three finish is not just a dream, but a viable target for one of the league's longest-serving clubs.

"You Cannot Write Us Off"

"We have dropped points, yes, but look at the table. The gap is bridgeable," Badi asserted during a training session at the dusty Ligi Ndogo grounds. "The first leg was about survival; the second leg is about conquest. We want maximum points at home and we will scrap for everything on the road."

The Black Stars currently trail the league leaders by a significant margin, but the chaotic nature of the NSL means fortunes can turn in a fortnight. Badi's optimism is fueled by a busy transfer window that has seen the club inject fresh blood into an aging squad.

• The New Artillery: The club has secured the services of experienced forward Donald Ange from Mathare United. "Attacking has been our Achilles heel," Badi admitted. "Ange brings the ruthlessness we lacked in the final third."
• Midfield Steel: Joining Ange are Teddy Osoko from Tusker and Raydon Munane from KCB, signings that signal serious intent to muscle through the rigorous midfield battles of the NSL.
• Youth Injection: The capture of Garnet Otieno from the Michael Olunga Foundation Academy adds a layer of youthful unpredictability to the side.

The Road to Kisumu

The immediate test lies in Kisumu this weekend. The Black Stars face Vihiga United at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in a clash that could define their season. Vihiga, languishing at the bottom of the table with just nine points, are fighting for their lives, making them a dangerous "wounded animal."

"We cannot respect them too much," Badi warned. "We need to go there, do the professional job, and bring the three points back to Kibera."

For the thousands of fans in Kibera, the dream of seeing their team host Gor Mahia or AFC Leopards in the top flight remains alive. It is a tall order, but as Badi says, "In football, it is not over until the referee blows the final whistle."