Tusker’s Nsimbe named KPL finest for May

Tusker FC tactician George ‘Best’ Nsimbe has been named the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month for May.

Nsimbe was voted unanimously by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Football Commission after going unbeaten that month, winning all the five games to bag 15 points.

After a slow start to the campaign this season, in which the defending KPL champions lost their first two opening matches, Nsimbe found rhythm in May leaping to challenge for top spot on the table against early leaders Gor Mahia.

Speaking on Tuesday when receiving the award after the team’s morning training at their Ruaraka Sports Club base, Nsimbe exuded confidence that his charges will retain the KPL title as well as the GOtv Shield.

“I feel great to win this award just six months after joining the team. I thank my technical staff, the players and fans who made me win the coach of the month award for May. We still believe we can retain the title although we have a long way to go but I know we will make it since we finished the first leg on a high.

“We started the season badly, but we knew we are the defending champions and we sat down as the technical bench and rectified our mistakes,” Nsimbe charged.

Tusker started that off their glorious May outings with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Kakamega Homeboyz, before beating Zoo Kericho 2-0 away from home, followed up with a 2-1 victory over Sony Sugar and a 2-0 victory over struggling Mathare United.

Nsimbe led his men to close the month with a 1-0 result over giants AFC Leopards as Nsimbe’s side climbed joint top with record 15-time champions Gor Mahia at the KPL table.

For his splendid performance, the Ugandan tactician was rewarded with a winner’s plaque and Sh75, 000 and become the third coach after the then Gor Mahia coach Jose ‘Ze Maria’ Marcelo Ferreira (March winner) and Posta Rangers’ Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo (April winner).

Fidelity Insurance Marketing and Business Development Manager, Nicholas Malesi assured the partnership with SJAK will continue to see football develop in the country.

“As Fidelity Insurance, it’s an honor to be part of this partnership. We just want to reaffirm our commitment that we are here for the longest term despite the economic challenges.

“We have seen it work, we were here sometimes last year so we have just confirmed that excellence is at Tusker FC thus doing the league proud,” Malesi added.

Nsimbe took over at the 11-time KPL champions this season after departure of  his Ugandan compatriot Paul Nkata to rivals Bandari FC. He is tasked to defend the top tier league title and the GOtv Shield.