"We Will Approach Division One Seriously" Denmak FC Coach

Denmak FC Seal FKF Division One Promotion After Dominant Season

Denmak FC of Maganyakulo, Kwale County, have secured promotion to the FKF Division One League after finishing at the summit of FKF Division Two Northern Zone Pool A during the 2026/27 season.

Denmak have achieved the feat with matches still remaining, underlining their dominance throughout the campaign. So far, they have played 31 matches, winning 23, drawing four and suffering only three defeats to collect 76 points.

The promotion marks a significant turnaround for the club after narrowly missing out on the same opportunity last season by a single point.

Speaking after securing promotion, Denmak head coach Mwinyi Muta Kuuza 'Coach Lopez' expressed his delight at finishing top while reflecting on the disappointment of the previous campaign.

“It feels great finishing top. It even feels more great that we are now getting a promotion to the next stage, considering we missed this chance last season with a one-point difference, but now we have comfortably done it.”

Lopez believes last season’s disappointment played an important role in motivating the team this time around. According to the coach, the technical bench used the previous campaign as a lesson and made deliberate improvements in recruitment and team building.

“When the season started, we went with the lesson of why we slipped last season. We were good from the beginning until the end, but we failed to finish it,” he said.

“Another factor was making good recruitment of young talents and blending them with experienced players. We, as the technical bench, also worked hard because we already knew what Division Two looks like.”

With promotion now confirmed, Lopez insists Denmak will not approach Division One with the same mentality they had in the lower tier. He says the club intends to strengthen the squad and prepare seriously for the challenges of playing at the national level.

“We are not approaching Division One as we did Division Two. We will approach it seriously, make good signings, and we believe our management is firm enough to push the team.”

However, finances remain a major concern for the club. Lopez revealed that Denmak have largely relied on contributions from their supporters, with club officials also having to contribute towards the team’s needs.

He has therefore called on potential sponsors and well-wishers to come on board, especially now that Denmak are stepping into a national league.

The club’s captain, Mwinyi Omar, popularly known as Lopez Junior, also credited the supporters for playing a crucial role in the team’s successful campaign.

He described the fans as an important pillar of the club, not only for the motivation they provide but also through gate collections that help the team meet its financial obligations.

“Our fans have been a very important pillar in ensuring the team succeeds. They motivate us and even contribute through gate collections,” said the captain.

“I ask them not to leave us now that we are promoted. They should continue pushing us and giving us morale. They should also come to the stadium because the gate collections help us a lot. We are fighting for them.”

Omar acknowledges that Division One will present a much tougher challenge, but believes Denmak can compete if they maintain the unity that has characterised their promotion campaign.

“We know Division One will not be easy, but it will depend on our preparations and how hard we fight. I believe that if we maintain this kind of unity, we can also make it there.”

Denmak’s promotion is not only a major milestone for the club but also a boost for football in Kwale County and the wider Coast region.

The Maganyakulo-based side have also built a reputation for having one of the most loyal fan bases in the Coast football scene. Their passionate supporters have followed the team throughout the campaign, creating an atmosphere that has become part of Denmak’s identity.

As they step into FKF Division One next season, Denmak will hope to carry that support with them while building a squad capable of competing at a higher level.

For a club that came within one point of promotion last season, the 2026/27 campaign has provided the response they were looking for: a dominant run at the top, 76 points from 31 matches and, most importantly, a deserved ticket to the national league.