Ulinzi Stars winger Boniface Muchiri is upbeat ahead of the resumption of the premier league campaign.

Muchiri moved over from Tusker in December 2021 and will be available for new coach Vincent ‘Moriero’ Otieno this season after completing six months of military training.

The attacker played a full 90 minutes in their friendly match against his former employers, Tusker, in a match that ended 1-1.

“It feels good to be back after intensive six-month training to be a soldier. It’s everyone’s dream to do what they love,” said Muchiri.

“Now I’m back to help Ulinzi Stars win matches and titles,  focusing more on my football career as I also serve my country.”

From the match, the winger looked to pick up where he had left off as he played with an intensity that belied any rustiness. He was directly involved in a goal that his teammate,  Masita Masuta converted to equalize.

“When I was in camp, I didn’t play football but the intense sessions involved have helped me stay fit. However, I am working hard to improve as an individual and as a team. I am here to get back in shape to help the team win more games,” said the 26-year-old winger.

Last season, the 2010 league champions produced a poor show performance as they scored a paltry 19 goals in 31 matches to finish 13th on 40 points, their lowest in over a decade. This resulted in appointment of a new technical bench with Vincent ‘Moriero’ Otieno who is also an old boy at the club together with Mohammed ‘Dalo’ Khamis who will deputize him taking over from the outgoing coach Benjamin Nyangweso.

The new coach will be looking to harness the attacking impetus of Muchiri and also striker Dennis Simiyu, who is also coming into the team after a military training to grind out performance for the team.

The winger is hoping to add more minutes to his legs as the team continue with league preparation.

Muchiri who started his career at a now defunct Sony Sugar. He was a key player for the Breweries for five years where he helped the team in winning two of the league titles. He also featured for Harambee Stars in the U23 and national team duties under Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and a brief spell of Engin Farat as the team was bundled out of both the AFCON and world cup qualifiers.

Muchiri will join a group of former Harambee stars duo Francis Onyiso and Mulinge Munandi as some of the players who shone for Ulinzi and the national team and are still in the KDF beyond active football careers.