Wazito inches to KPL: The former Gor Mahia coach is on the verge of making history

NATIONAL SUPER LEAGUE Coach Wazito Frank Ouna instruct Wazito FC players during National Super League match against Shabana FC at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, August 22, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

The Frank Ouna-led side will be playing Police in their final match today

Wazito coach Frank Ouna made his name at Gor Mahia when, as Frank Nuttall's assistant, the team won the 2015 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title.

And now the coach is on the verge of making history with Wazito who are seeking to qualify for the top league next season.

Standing between Wazito and their moment of history is Kenya Police who they meet in an end-of-the-season fixture in Narok today.

Despite being placed third on the standings, Wazito will qualify by beating their Saturday opponents no matter how leaders Ushuru play against second- placed Vihiga United.

With such a big moment beckoning one would expect some sort of apprehension in the Wazito coach but not so with Ouna.

“A lot of people don’t know that I was involved with Sofapaka when they first qualified for the KPL. After that, I went to Gor Mahia and believe there was a lot of pressure in these two clubs.

“There is no undue pressure on anyone and we are all relaxed as we face off our opponents,” he said.

Ouna admits that it has been a long journey for Wazito, a team that comprises mostly University of Nairobi students.

“At one point we were out of the picture in as far as making it to the KPL was concerned and we had to win 14 matches in a row to be back in contention.”

He does not underrate Kenya Police who beat them 1-0 in the first leg. Ouna would however, have preferred if they were facing another team at this stage.

“It is a very tough side. They beat us in the first leg at Camp Toyoyo and honestly speaking I would not have wanted to play them at this time of the season. They beat us on counter after Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi was awarded a penalty and we expect a tough one again,” he predicted.

At Mumias Complex, Ushuru will need to beat Vihiga United to be sure of qualifying as champions.

It has been a great run for Ushuru who were relegated last season and are once again on the verge of an immediate come-back. Vihiga should not have been struggling to qualify on the last day of the season.

The team had built a healthy lead at the beginning of the season and will be greatly disappointed if they lose out on qualification.