It’s time to count losses and fire Okumbi

When Stanley Okumbi was first introduced into the limelight as Harambee Stars first team coach, many questioned his ability to handle such a huge assignment.

A month and 19 days later, the criticism has only grown louder after two damaging defeats to Guinea Bissau, a country 44 places behind Kenya in the last FIFA standings.

However, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Nick Mwendwa, downplayed critics saying it was difficult for Harambee Stars to win away on a West African ground when Stars went down 1-0 in Guinea Bissau last Wednesday.

On Sunday evening it seemed Kenya was playing away too, despite dominating possession in the first and second half, creating chances but yielding no results in the end.

Chaos erupted when Stars conceded a goal which some disputed but it clearly had crossed the line, catching keeper Arnold Origi flat footed.

It was clear from the fans reactions that Okumbi was the black sheep with his tactical ability questioned as Kenya surrendered the African Cup of Nation dream of making a first appearance for the first time since 2004.

Fans chanting ‘Okumbi Out!’ all around the stadium meant that they had enough of this man and wanted a more fatherly figure to man the national team.

Okumbi was handed the job despite the availability of experienced coaches such as Francis Kimanzi, Zedekiah Otieno, Jacob Mulee and Twahir Muhiddin who have handled the team before as FKF turned to local men for the job when Scotsman Bobby Williamson salary became too much for the federation to pay.

“I will sit back and find out where we went wrong and try to strategize our team, personally I believe we played better but we lacked result,” the former Kariobangi Sharks and Mathare United tactician said after the match.

It is clear that Nick Mwendwa is biting more than he can chew by appointing Okumbi, the man who he once employed as his Sharks outfit as the national team coach.

The truth of the matter is if Stars need results and Mwendwa must realize that Kenya is beyond ‘loyalty reward’ as his appointment of Okumbi has been labelled by critics.

Kenyans want a qualified coach, someone they can believe in not just a mere local tactician who has no notable success under his belt.

They need someone who can command respect from the players not someone who prefers untested players on an international match in a bid to establish control.

“Okumbi is inexperienced and he is taking too much than he can handle FKF should look for a more senior coach for him and Okumbi be the assistant otherwise we are ready to banned for two years, it has happened before,’’ former AFC Leopards secretary general, George Aladwa, who is also the ODM Nairobi chairman stated

The chaos on Sunday were just a tip of the iceberg; if the state of football in the country fails to improve then the federation would have to take the blame next time Kenyans go on a rampage on after such shaming results.

“Nick Mwendwa is gambling with our football, we need change like he promised in his manifesto otherwise we will lose our respect for the national team,” Evans Ochieng, a disappointed fan added.