Winless Top Fry fire Page as assistant Okidi takes charge of KPL debutants

By GILBERT WANDERA

 Nakuru All Stars coach Oliver Page has become the second Kenyan Premier League (KPL) coach to be shown the door.

Page was sent packing yesterday after a string of poor results at the newly promoted KPL side.

All Stars went down 3-0 on Saturday to Sofapaka, which was their third loss of the season.

The team had been beaten 3-0 by Sony Sugar in the season opener before losing 1-0 to Thika United culminating in Page’s sacking yesterday.

The club confirmed on their official website the decision to sack Page from the job.

A brief statement from the club said:” The Board of  Nakuru All Stars have relieved Oliver Page from his responsibilities as head coach of the Premier League team.

“The Board feels this is the only option, as the coach and the players never managed to find common ground, which reflected in the performances of the first three games in the Premier League.

“The club would like to thank Oliver Page for his services to the club, in the time that he has been with us, and we do wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

The club announced that assistant coach Peter Okidi will take over as head coach on an interim basis as a suitable replacement is being sought.

Page joined All Stars at the beginning of this season on an initial three-year contract.

He was returning to the KPL for the second time with his first stint having been with Nairobi City Stars five years ago.

Top Fry will face Western Stima on Saturday in search of their first KPL win.

The match is one of the six KPL fixtures slated for this weekend.

The other will involve former champions Tusker who return to Ruaraka Stadium on Saturday against Bandari.

Action also returns to Machakos Municipal Stadium where Mathare United will host KCB while new comers KRA face Muhoroni Youth at City Stadium.

Winless Ulinzi Stars will be at Hope Centre hoping to edge out City Stars while Chemelil Sugar host Sofapaka.  

Page is a Uefa Pro licensed coach and a holder of an MA from Columbia International University and PhD in Intercultural Studies (Florida).

 ––gwandera@standardmedi.co.ke