Owoko unveiled as new Nairobi Stima boss

Former Tusker FC assistant coach George Owoko has been unveiled as the new head coach of National Super League (NSL) side Nairobi Stima on a two-year deal.

Stima missed a KPL promotion narrowly after finishing fourth in the NSL, a point behind the playoff spot which was eventually taken by rivals Ushuru FC.

Owoko who takes over from Ibrahim Shikanda expressed his delight in joining the team, alongside Evans Mafuta who will be his assistant.

“This is a new chapter that I’m so ecstatic at. The goals here by the management are too high, and I like such a challenge. They missed a KPL spot so narrowly and that speaks a lot about the ability of the team. My predecessor did a good job here and mine is to build from what he left,” Owoko said.

Owoko is also banking on Mafuta’s experience to lift Stima to the next step.

“I know the expectations here and that’s why I have brought along Mafuta. He is someone who has worked wonders with a little known team and I believe he is the right man to work with me here.

“I have worked with him too at Finlays FC (in the former Nation Wide League) and he will be very key in this journey. I have been in the game for some time now and I know what is required if we are to make it to the KPL. It is a challenge I’m looking forward to,” Owoko told Citizen Digital.

Mafuta just guided Eldoret Youth to a promotion to the NSL, an achievement Owoko notes convinced him he is a right pick.

Despite resting just for a week so far, Owoko will the Stima back to training for an assessment exercise before deciding who to drop and who to add for the forthcoming season.

“I have called for a meeting with the players. The team did well in the just concluded season so I don’t expect a lot of changes. Of course we will be adding a few faces but that will only happen after I have checked our inventory closely,” Owoko added.

Immediately before his appointment, Owoko was leading St. Anthony’s Boys High School whom he led to the semifinals of the KSSA National Secondary School Ball Games.