Nairobi City Stars players celebrate at Gusii Stadium/ANGWENYI GICHANA
National Super League side Nairobi City Stars are planning a major squad overhaul after an underwhelming campaign.
Chief executive officer Patrick Korir said most of the players said most of the
players didn’t live up to expectations.
“Yes. There
will be a major overhaul. All contracts expire at the end of June,” Korir told
the Star on the phone.
Korir announced the club, which is sponsored by the Jonathan Jackson
Foundation, will also reconstitute the technical bench as they seek to return to
the SportPesa League.
The club did
not fill the head coach’s position following the departure of Salim Babu in
April, alongside his assistant Patrick Gitagia.
Babu, who has
been linked with SportPesa League sides Mara Sugar and Shabana, is also the
Rising Stars coach.
Eugene Ochola, a Uefa 'C' licence holder, took charge of the Simba wa Nairobi for the
remainder of the season and discussions, Korir revealed, are ongoing with coach
Collins Omondi to join the team as head coach.
“Omondi came in to give an outside view to stand in coach Eugine in the last few games,” added Korir.
The club was
relegated to the second tier at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Separately,
NSL side Luanda Villa has termed the just concluded season as the club’s most
difficult campaign in the club’s history. The Vihiga-based club struggled both
financially and in terms of results.
“At one
point, we found ourselves battling relegation, a situation that tested everyone
associated with the club. We are grateful through determination and resilience,
we managed to retain our place in the league,” said a statement from the club’s
management.
The club
attributed its poor performance in the league to frequent go-slows that
disrupted the team’s progress.
The club
remains optimistic about securing a sponsor for next season.
“We are
optimistic about securing sponsorship opportunities that will strengthen the
club’s financial position, which will allow us to compete more effectively,”
the statement added.
