3 Down, Who's next for the Kenya Premier league coaches?

The tide is getting rough for Kenya Premier league coaches.Three coaches have been shown the door, with less than 10 matches played.

Two assignments into the season, Francis Baraza was shown the door by Power men Western Stima for what was termed as ‘gross misconduct.’  Salim Ali followed, opting to jump out of  Afraha, after Ulinzi had only managed a solitary goal in 5 assignments. German Oliver Page failed to live to the standards of his much hyped arrival at Top Fry, and the KPL newbies were quick to dismiss the former City Stars tactician.

The pressure is mounting by the day, and the telltale signs of another tactician being dismissed are evident. AFC Leopards has had to endure immense pressure, despite the former Tusker and Karaturi coach guiding Leopards to the GOTV Title last season. The fans have been demanding his replacement, and with recent media reports hinting at the arrival of an Italian tactician in the country, Nandwa’s goose seemed to have cooked, and is just simmering; a change in the Leopards dugout is surely in the offing. Nandwa has remained bullish, and confident of retaining his job despite the pressure. Last weekend’s 1-0 win over Top Fry comes as a reprieve to Nandwa, but a tricky Top 8 assignment against Bandari could determines Nandwa’s stay in the Den.

Famed as the league pacesetters, KCB are unable to find a footing this season, and the man who could be on his way out is Juma Abdallah. The tactician enjoyed a fairy run last season, as KCB finished fourth. Lying 15th on the log, with 3 points, KCB are yet to stamp their intentions to compete with the league big boys. Juma Abdallah has seemed to run out of options as the Bankers have struggled  following the exit of key players last season among them Jacob Keli, Clifford Alwanga and Brian Osumba. The former Thika United tactician has called for patience, as he seeks to build a formidable unit. A 3-0 electrocution on Saturday to visiting Western Stima, could see Juma Abdallah replaced, though it remains to be seen how the reigning KPL coach of the season stays at the side.

Former Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson had a near perfect start to the league this season, as the Green Army juggled between Continental assignments and league matches. A 5-0 spanking away to Esperance de Tunis seemed to have weakened Gor Mahia as in their last four ties, Gor have secured an unconvincing 4 points. A 2-0 loss to bottom placed Top Fry has troubled majority of the Gor Mahia fans, who have criticized Bobby’s tactics. The lack of last season’s attacking flair in the Gor front line has been a key concern for Gor Mahia, with lethal forward Danny Ssrerunkuma yet to replicate his show last season. Last weekend’s loss away to Bandari complicates Bobby’s stand at the club, that most coaches consider a ‘high pressure cooker job.’

James Nandwa and Bobby Williamson have their jobs on the line, unless the duo could orchestrate a fast turnaround in their clubs. Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards , Kenya’s top supported clubs, have the most impatient fans, and  a fallout between the fans and the coaches has often led to the coach parting ways with the club.

With growing pressure, it remains to be seen which tacticians will stay to the end, of a tough season that has just begun.