Coast Stima hit by mass exodus of players

Coast Stima FC  players in 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

National Super League outfit Coast Stima has been hit by mass exodus of crucial players and coach Paul Ogai said he has to start rebuilding a new outfit in readiness for the resumption of football activities.

“It is a big blow to lose your best players to other teams, but I have no choice but to restart building a new team in preparation for the resumption of the league,” said Ogai

Coast Stima has no sponsors after their previous sponsor Kenya Power Company withdrew their sponsorship to all its teams featuring in FKF leagues due to financial constraints.

Coach Ogai said last season’s top scorer Eric Ombija with 17 goals and, who was on loan from Gor Mahia left the club same as Lucky Eme and captain Joshua Oyoo, who have signed for a Somalia team.

The Mombasa-based side also suffered a major blow after center back Idd Hassan and midfielder Dennis Magige, who were on loan from Bandari returned to their parent club.

“We have resumed training gradually twice in a week at Serani playground but we are yet to resume full training since March when the league was put on hold,” said the Coach.

Bandari coach Ken Odhiambo had said he wanted the duo to boost his team after he realised the players had made good progress during the period they played for Coast Stima.

Coast Stima's Dennis Magige. [File]

Ogai said he had targeted to qualify for next season’s Premier League but added that it will be a tall order after losing his top cream players during the transfer period.

“We pray for quick resumption of football activities so that we can start vigorous training. These players need to be physically fit before they could start playing in the league,” added the coach.

The experienced tactician who has coached the defunct Palos, Kisumu All Stars and Western Stima said his team had scored the highest number of goals with Ombija as the leading scorer before the league was stopped due to covid-19 outbreak.

Coast Stima were sitting fourth on the National Super League log before the season was cancelled.