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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Wazito FC fire former Harambee Stars coach Okumbi and Ambani

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Oct 22, 2019

Wazito FC president Ricardo Badoer pops champagne as players and coaching staff cheer on during the unveiling of there new official team bus at Windsor Golf and Country Club in Kiambu County on May 25, 2019. [Photo/Kelly Ayodi/www.sportpicha.com]

Wazito’s Fred Ambani and Stanley Okumbi have become the first Kenyan Premier League coaching casualties of the season.

Ambani and Okumbi have been fired as the club’s Head Coach and Technical Director respectively just six matches into the season.

With their resources both on and off the pitch and unwavering support from their ever demanding club owner Ricardo Badoer, many had expected Wazito to make a stunning impact and even challenge for the title on their return to the top flight.

However, with just six points from six matches and three places above the danger zone, the club’s management has been forced to act quickly by firing Ambani and Okumbi who have reportedly been having a frosty relationship.

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Immediate former assistant coach Hamisi Mohamed will temporarily take charge of the team as the management continues to shop for Ambani’s permanent successor.

But the duo’s fall-out and power play appears to be one of the reasons the star-studded Wazito have had a stuttering start to the season.

The writing was already on the wall and it was just a matter of time before the management cracked the whip.

While making the announcement, Wazito Chief Executive Officer Dennis Gicheru thanked the pair for their service to the club and wished them well in their future endeavours.

“I would like to thank coach Ambani and coach Okumbi for their great service to the club. They did a tremendous job during their time here and we wish them all the best,” said Gicheru in a statement.

But it seems Ambani and Okumbi cooked their own goose when they were involved in a training ground spat over squad selection a few days ahead of their 4-2 thrashing at the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz on Saturday in Machakos.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the pair nearly had a fist fight after Okumbi, who was making a return to the team after engagements with the national U20 team in Uganda, insisted on dropping some players with whom Ambani felt were instrumental in the previous two outings against Mathare United (2-2) and Zoo (2-0).

Just after their humiliating defeat to Homeboyz, club owner, Badoer through his tweeter account issued an apology to club’s fans and promised to make some changes.

“I apologize to our fans and promise we will work on making the changes needed,” read part of the post.

And after effecting the changes yesterday, the Dubai-based tycoon tweeted saying that the club will unveil its new coach in the next few days. He also challenged the plays to step up their game or prepare to leave.

“There is no need to explain this decision and within a day or two our new head coach will be presented. Saying all that I need also to remind Wazito FC players to step up,” posted Badoer.

Ambani replaced Ahmed Muhammed Mchulla, who was sacked in March 2019 after a series of ‘unsatisfactory results’ in the National Super League.