AFC Leopards sack Nandwa after loss to KRA

PHOTO/FILE Washington Muhanji trains with the Somalia team at Nyayo Stadium ahead of the 2011 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup. The former Kenya international has taken over from James Nandwa in an acting capacity.

By  NATION REPORTER

What you need to know:

  • Club secretary general Aladwa says team will unveil new tactician next week
  • Also sacked is Nandwa’s assistant Mickey Weche, leaving goalkeeper trainer Washington Muhanji to handle the team in a caretaker capacity for this weekend’s game against Nairobi City Stars in Mumias.
  • Nandwa took over from Belgian Luc Eymael last September.

AFC Leopards have sacked coach James Nandwa a day after the team lost 1-0 to newcomers Kenya Revenue Authority in the Kenyan Premier League.

Also sacked is Nandwa’s assistant Mickey Weche, leaving goalkeeper trainer Washington Muhanji to handle the team in a caretaker capacity for this weekend’s game against Nairobi City Stars in Mumias.

The sacking of Nandwa expected.

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Wednesday’s loss to KRA gave the club’s executive a perfect opportunity. Leopards officials have been sending contradicting statements on Nandwa’s position in the last one month, with some confirming their confidence in him and others saying a foreign coach would replace him.

OFFICIALS UNITED IN VERDICT

But on Thursday, the office was unanimous on Nandwa’s fate. Last year, Nandwa guided them the GOtv Shield title, beating Gor Mahia in the final.

Nandwa also guided the team to a runners up finish in the KPL, behind winners Gor last season.

But that counted for nothing this week after Leopards suffered their second defeat in the league this season. Ingwe have only scored three times in eight games, losing twice, drawing four times and winning twice.

CLUB STATEMENT

A statement from club secretary-general George Aladwa stated: “AFC Leopards have today appointed Washington Muhanji as acting coach with immediate effect replacing James Nandwa and Mickey Weche. We will unveil a new coach next week.”

It is understood Leopards have already concluded talks with Italian Emmanuele Filippini who is expected to be unveiled next week.

Nandwa and Weche on Thursday said they will abide by the decision of the club. “We are yet to be informed about the changes, but if that is the situation, I will respect the decision. I wish the team well,” said Nandwa.

FOREIGN COACH

Initially, Filippini was to take over last week with Nandwa as his deputy while Weche was to be promoted to technical director, but the office seems to have lost patience with the current technical bench after a series of poor results.

Nandwa took over from Belgian Luc Eymael last September.

He becomes the fifth coach to be sacked in the Kenyan Premier League with with only eight rounds of matches played.

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