By Gilbert Wandera
With the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) entering its eighth week, three coaches will be on the spot in the wake of the recent sacking of former AFC Leopards head coach Tom Olaba. Time is certainly running out for Sammy Omollo of Sony Sugar, Francis Barasa of Westen Stima and Ulinzi Star’s Salim Ali.
And it does not get better for the three men as they face potentially career-threatening fixtures this weekend.
Omollo faces his former side Tusker at Awendo tomorrow hoping to get the team’s first win of the season. But there is no reason to believe that Omollo can pick the three points on offer against Tusker going by the team’s recent results.
Last weekend, the team fell 2-0 to visiting Sofapaka to remain at the bottom of the standings with just three points. Omollo was brought in to replace former Harambee Stars coach Zedekiah Otieno, who quit the team to join elective politics, but he has failed to turn around the club.
The former international has failed to re-ignite the magic that saw him lead Tusker to winning the KPL title in 2011 before he was fired the following season due to poor performance.
Sunday’s match could make or break Omollo’s career. Even though he has been assured of his future at the club, it is doubtful that he will keep his job if he does not win.
Another man who will be concerned this weekend is Western Stima coach Francis Barasa whose side lost 2-1 to Mathare United last Sunday.
As they face former KPL champions Sofapaka this afternoon at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Barasa will be under pressure to produce results.
After seven matches, Stima have picked only two wins and, for a man who was brought in to improve the fortunes of the team, it has not been an impressive start compared to the reign of former coach Henry Omino.
Ulinzi Stars coach Salim Ali is not safe either as the team take on Thika United tomorrow. The soldiers have not won since they beat Gor Mahia 2-0 two weeks ago at City Stadium
Since then, they have been blowing hot and cold and have failed to sustain a consistent performance after losing 2-0 to KCB and being held to a barren draw by KPL new comers Homeboyz.
Mathare United coach Stanley Okumbi is a relieved man as his side takes on Karuturi Sports in Naivasha today.
Okumbi led United to their first win of the season where they stopped Western Stima 2-1 last weekend.
Before then, United who won the league in 2008 had remained winless in six matches.
