Competitive KPL claims scalps of six top coaches

Oscar Midenyo of Gor Mahia controls the ball against challenge from Thika United players. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

 

By Gilbert Wandera

The just ended Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season will be remembered as one of the most competitive and also claimed the highest number of coaches.

By the time the second leg of the league had started, six coaches had been fired most of them shown the door for poor performance while one resigned following a spate of poor results.

Cameroonian Anaba Awono was the first to be shown the door in February when Gor Mahia management sent the entire technical bench packing in the wake of poor results.

Awono was replaced by former international John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla who took over on an interim basis before Croatian Zradvko Logarusic was hired on a permanent basis and helped the club finish runners-up.

Mathare United, the 2008 KPL champions, let go of Gabriel Njoroge hiring current coach Stanley Okumbi in his place a move that ensured they finished among the top eight teams in the just concluded season.

Relegated side Rangers fired Ezekiel Akwana after his side lost 6-2 to AFC Leopards in Mumias while former Oserian head coach Sammy Otinga resigned in the wake of poor results by the Naivasha side who were eventually relegated.

More high profile sackings were to follow with current champions Tusker asking Sammy Omollo to leave despite having helped them win the league last season.They are unlikely to regret this move after Omollo’s replacement Robert Matano ensured they won the title.

Sofapaka also fired Salim Ali and in came Englishman Stewart Hall who, however, did not last as his former club Azam of Tanzania reportedly gave him an offer he could not resist.

Edward Manoah was the latest casualty after he was suspended by Chemelil after string of poor results. The club appointed Mike Muiruri as a stand-in coach.