Leopards turn to ex-Lionesses boss Shamiah

Leopards turn to ex-Lionesses boss Shamiah

Former national women’s rugby team head coach Mike Shamiah is not planning to join the AFC Leopards technical bench as a fitness trainer although he is helping the club ahead of their crunch Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clash against Tusker FC on Saturday.

While admitting the club are interested in his services after unveiling Briton Stewart Hall as their new head coach on Monday, Shamiah told Citizen Digital he still has a contract with former Kenya Cup champions KCB RFC.

“No, they haven’t appointed me. I always do their pre-season but this time, the new coach wants me in earlier,” the former Kenya Lionesses boss told.

“I have a contract with KCB but I will see them first and weigh my options,” he added.

Shamiah noted coaching a football team was different from rugby but the basics were the same.

Saturday’s clash has grown in prominence for 13th-placed Leopards since victory will postpone the coronation of leaders Tusker as KPL champions for at least a week and open the door for their archrivals, Gor Mahia to hold on to the crown for a fourth successive season.

Speaking during his unveiling, Hall who led Tanzanian giants Azam FC to the Cecafa Kagame Cup title last year said his short term objective was a strong finish to the wretched season for Ingwe who started brightly and were among the title contenders before a sensational collapse.

Shamiah led the Lionesses to the summer Rio 2016 Olympics where they produced a better performance than their men counterparts and World Rugby Sevens Series core side Shujaa, making their Olympics debut where they beat Colombia 22-10 in their only victory.

The national governing rugby body, Kenya Rugby Union announced his position vacant shortly after coming back from Rio and recently appointed Kevin Wambua as his successor.

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AFC Leopards tusker fc. Fitness Kenyan Premier League Stewart Hall Mike Shamiah

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