Nkatah returns to FKF PL as Gor Mahia boss after Harrison’s sacking

Tusker Coach Paul Nkata react against Gor Mahia during their KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 16/04/16.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia yesterday appointed Ugandan coach Paul Nkata on interim basis until the end of the 2021-2022 FKF Premier League season.

This is after the club sent packing British coach Mark Harrison, his assistant Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo and goalkeeper trainer and Jerim Onyango.

Gor Mahia announced the development from their official social media pages.

“As a club, we have made a decision to part ways with coach Mark Harrison, assistant coach Sammy Omollo and goalkeeper trainer Jerim Onyango; Paul Nkata will take charge on an interim basis. We thank the three for services offered to the club,” read the club’s statement.

Harrison leaves after being in charge of the team for just five months. He joined the team in August 2021 as a replacement for Portuguese coach Vaz Pinto who had resigned.

The 19-time Premier League champions have settled on Nkatah, who won the league title with Tusker in 2016, and he will be assisted by Gor Mahia youth coach Jared Otieno.

Nkata’s appointment comes barely a few days after K’ogalo suffered a 3-0 defeat Posta Rangers thus extending their winless run to three matches. 

Gor Mahia are currently fifth on the log on 27 points from 16 matches, seven points below league leaders Kakamega Homeboyz.

Nkata, who previously coached Bandari, Nairobi City Stars and Muhoroni Youth, left Kenya in January 2019 after  Kakamega Homeboyz owner Cleophas Shimanyula, his former employer, accused him of match fixing.

Nkata is set to make his coaching debut at Gor Mahia in their next match against Posta Rangers.

Coincidentally, it is a match against the mailmen on Wednesday that resulted in Harrison’s sacking.

Even as the Ugandan takes charge at Gor Mahia, a section of players at the club have said the sacking of Harrison and his team will not change anything at the team.

“Even if they fire the coach (Mark Harrison), the boys are not motivated. The departing coaches have tried their best but it’s difficult to perform with the current situation. Even if they bring a new coach it will not change anything,” said a senior Gor Mahia player who sought anonymity.

Gor Mahia Coach Mark Harrison during FKF Premier League match againsT Bandari at The Nyayo national stadium on Sunday, December 12, 2021. [Jonah Onyango Standard]

Meanwhile, FKF PL side Nzoia Sugar has officially named Salim Babu as their new head coach.

Nzoia Sugar confirmed the news by posting on their official social media pages after unveiling him on Friday. “Meet our newly appointed head coach Salim Babu. He is officially ours,” read the post on twitter.