Owoko sacking prompted Nkata to leave Tusker

The firing of George Owoko by Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker FC is thought to have sparked the shock departure of head coach Paul Nkata to local rivals Bandari FC.

Owoko who brought Nkata to Kenya in 2015 has also signed a two-year deal with the Dockers where he will deputise the title-winning coach alongside Ken Odhiambo- the man who led Bandari in the latter half of last season.

Twahir Muhiddin who was fired by the Dockers following a wretched start to the campaign returns to the club as Technical Director, a post he held before he replaced Rishadi Shedu as head coach in 2015 when he led the team to the GOtv Shield glory.

On the playing department, former Gor Mahia winger Edwin Lavatsa has been given a one-year extension whilst midfielder David Gateri has been released after the lapse of his contract.

However, the buzz around the Mombasa-based club is the sensational coup they have pulled in hiring Nkata who completed the league and cup double with Tusker barely 48 hours after being honoured as the KPL Coach of the Year in the 2016 FOYA awards.

Citizen Digital has reliably established Nkata has penned a one-year deal having and taking Owoko who is currently working with East Africa Secondary Schools champions Barding High.

“Nkata is like my father. I knew him in 1993 and worked with him too, as a player and a coach. I cannot say whether this was the best time to move but with the respect I have for him I can’t doubt his decision,” Owoko who confirmed his appointment at Bandari said.

“I don’t think there was any problem between him and the management. The only time I suspect he was upset is when I was unceremoniously axed from the club because he knows my history well,” the new Bandari first assistant boss added.

Nkata is reportedly in his native Uganda having abandoned Tusker with just over a month to go before the team features in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.

-Working combination-

Besides the continental championship campaign, whoever takes over at Ruaraka will be tasked with defending the national league gong and the GOTv Shield Cup in 2017.

“It will all depend with the mentality of the players and towards the coach. If the current playing unit remains intact and they get quality additions, they will be good to challenge as they would have done with Nkata.

“The only mistake that the players cannot afford to do is dwelling on his exit, because that is part of football. Coaches and players come and go, only clubs remain,” Owoko remarked on the future of Tusker.

The 2015 GOTv Shield Cup champions Bandari finished the 2016 KPL season at 11th with 37 points having plummeted down the table from their billing as title favourites.