Rebranding Nakumatt set to shift base

Nakumatt FC will start the 2018/19 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) season under a different name and will also shift base according to club owner Francis Mureithi.

Mureithi, who took over the ownership of the club from Nakumatt Holdings Limited in April, says a number of sponsors lined up will give the team a new lease of life.

“We’ve plans to change the name of the team and move to another region before the new season kicks off,” Mureithi, who unsuccessfully contested for the Embakasi East parliamentary seat in the 2017 general elections told Nation Sport on Monday.

He added: “I’ve been funding the team from my own pocket but once we make the changes, sponsors will come on board to rectify the financial position. We also have plans to recruit good players and elevate the ageing ones to managerial roles.”

Christopher Wekesa is already a beneficiary having being drafted into management as the team manager.

“There’s no need for them to seek greener pastures and regret later, we are strengthening the team so we wouldn’t want to lose them. For us to compete in continental competitions in the near future, we must keep the best,” outlined Mureithi who has scheduled a luncheon with the team on Wednesday at a Nairobi hotel.

The team will also be treated to a preseason camp outside Nairobi before hosting Sofapaka in their opening league match on December 8 at Ruaraka grounds.

Head coach Medo Melis had decried the financial situation at the club that saw the team slump to 16th place on the 18-team SPL table last season.

“As professionals, we are paid for services, I can manage one or two months without pay how about the rest? I believe next season will be a whole different story once we change the name,” offered the Egyptian-born American. 

Reports indicate that Nakumatt, founded in 2006, will shift base to Nyeri County.