APS Bomet FC head into the 2026-2027 FKF Premier League season with greater ambition after successfully negotiating their maiden campaign in the top flight.Having spent much of last season fighting to stay up, the Bomet-based side will now be looking to build on their strong finish and establish themselves as a competitive Premier League outfit.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe club finished 10th with 44 points last season after a difficult campaign that saw them flirt with relegation for much of the first leg and part of the second.However, they produced a strong response towards the end of the season, going unbeaten in their final 11 matches to secure their top-flight status.##NAJAVA_MECA_9915617##The late revival was also boosted by a Ksh50,000-per-player bonus from club patron Kipchumba Murkomen as the team battled to avoid relegation.This season, the expectations have changed.Pre-season performanceAPS Bomet have had mixed results in their pre-season preparations.They suffered a 2-1 defeat topatron-promoted NSL side Kiminini Combined and lost by the same scoreline to Division One side Trans Nzoia All Stars.They also went down 1-0 to Mara Sugar before responding with a 2-1 victory over Kakamega Homeboyz.Blow for Harambee Stars as Romania-based midfielder is ruled out for six monthsThe results have not been particularly convincing, but coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo will have used the matches to assess his squad ahead of the competitive campaign.More importantly, APS will want to avoid the slow start that contributed to last season's relegation battle.First five fixturesAPS Bomet face a challenging opening to the campaign.They begin away to Mathare United before hosting Gor Mahia. They then travel to Nairobi to face Nairobi United, followed by a home fixture against 3K FC and another against Murang’a Seal.Gor Mahia announce two special ticket offers for CAF CL tie against former championsThe opening matches will provide an early indication of how far APS have progressed from last season.A positive start would be particularly important given the club's desire to compete higher up the table this time around.Transfer businessAPS Bomet have largely focused on continuity during the transfer window.The club has retained most of the squad that helped secure survival last season, with Hansel Ochieng's move to Gor Mahia the most notable departure.They have made a few additions, including Owen Mboya from Posta Rangers and Boniface Mwangemi from Bandari.The club has also strengthened from within, with several players coming through the Police Training School in Embakasi.Aldrine Kibet, Amos Wanjala in as Selebwa names U20 squad for AFCON qualifiersMidfielder Hillary Juma is also expected to remain at the club after failing to secure a move away.The decision to retain the core of the squad gives Omollo a relatively settled group to work with as APS seek to improve on last season's 10th-place finish.Players to watchMaxwell Mulili will be an important figure in goal after producing a number of strong performances during the second leg last season.At the back, Edward Masembe will be expected to provide stability, while captain Philip Wasai, who finished as the club's leading scorer last season, remains an important attacking outlet.Bonface Ambani reveals 4 areas of focus ahead of AFC Leopards' new seasonRodgers Kipkemoi and Festus Kipkemoi will also be expected to contribute in attack as APS look to improve their goalscoring record.Young prospect: Duncan 'Cantona' MogasaMogasa, popularly known as Cantona, showed promise early last season.His opportunities reduced as the relegation battle intensified and the club increasingly relied on experienced players to secure results.With APS now looking to compete rather than simply survive, Mogasa could receive more opportunities to develop and establish himself in the first team.The coach: PamzoPamzo arrived midway through last season and played an important role in APS Bomet's turnaround.Under his guidance, the team put together an impressive 11-match unbeaten run towards the end of the campaign to secure Premier League survival.APS Bomet secure new home ahead of 2026-2027 FKF Premier League seasonHe now has the benefit of starting the season with the squad and has been able to work on his ideas during pre-season.His immediate task will be to ensure APS make a better start, while maintaining the resilience that characterised their strong finish last season.Omollo has already outlined the club's approach for the new campaign:“We are building a team that can compete, not just survive. We have to work hard and remain focused because the Premier League is becoming more competitive every season. We want to take the next step and compete for the top positions.”TargetClub chairman Bishop Fred Akama has set a clear objective for the new season: a top-three finish.Blow for Gor Mahia as midfielder suffers injury ahead of key Champions League assignmentThe chairman believes the club's decision to retain its key players, combined with a few new additions, gives APS a stronger platform heading into the campaign.“Last season it was about surviving but right now we want to compete. We have not lost many players, and I can say that we have retained all the players we wanted to retain and added a few from outside and some from the training school.”Akama added that the club believes it has the players, coaching staff and management support required to pursue the target.It is an ambitious objective for a team that finished 10th last season, but one that reflects the club's desire to progress in its second Premier League campaign.Prediction: 7th-10thWhile APS Bomet are targeting a top-three finish, a 7th-10th position appears a more measured prediction.The retention of the core squad and the continuity in the technical area should work in their favour. Their strong finish last season also demonstrated that they are capable of putting together a consistent run of results.APS Bomet chairman reveals club's off-season transfer strategyHowever, competing for the top three will require a significant improvement across the entire campaign, particularly in the opening stages.If APS can avoid another slow start and maintain the level of performance they showed during their final 11 matches last season, they should be capable of improving their league position.VerdictAPS Bomet enter their second Premier League season with a more settled squad, greater experience and increased expectations.Last season was about learning and surviving. This time, the club wants to compete.Kenya Police Bullets humble Top Girls to shoot way to Champions League qualifiers semisWhether they can make that transition will depend largely on how quickly they start, how consistently they perform and whether their key players can maintain the form that helped them secure survival last season.The top three may be a demanding target, but an improved position in the top half would represent a positive step for APS Bomet as they continue to establish themselves in the Premier League.
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