Former Uganda Cranes and Gor Mahia tactician Bobby Williamson
Football Kenya Federation boss Sam Nyamweya on Tuesday afternoon announced that Bobby Williamson will take over as head coach of Kenya’s men’s football national team on a two year term in Nairobi.
“We are very satisfied with Bobby Williamson who took Uganda to where they are now. Let us give him a chance,” The FKF chief said.
The appointment of Williamson comes despite former coach Adel Amrouche, insisting that he has not even been informed that he was no longer employed as Kenya coach, but according to sources from BBC sports, Nyamweya said the Belgian was unable to remain in the post because he is suspended by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“We have not sacked him,” Nyamweya defended his claims “he has been suspended by Caf for one year hence not capable of doing his work so we had to get a replacement. We have no issue with Amrouche but his fate lies with Caf.”
Although it appears to be a controversial and complex situation, Nyamweya feels the matter is straightforward and shifted the responsibility away from Football Federation of Kenya as the Algerian born Belgian coach is currently appealing against a one-year ban for allegedly spitting at an official during a Nations Cup qualifier against Comoros in May.
FKF boss with former coach Adel Amrouche. photo courtesy coastweek.com
“When he finishes the suspension and if he wants to come back to the federation he has just to apply like anybody else and we will look at it.”
Nyamweya also defended the decision to sack the entire Kenyan technical bench immediately after Harambee Stars’ goalless draw in their second-leg match at home to Lesotho spiking mixed reactions and feelings from Kenya’s football stake holders.
“They had to go,” he said. “The team they fielded on Sunday was pathetic.” “we gave them everything the needed and still got nothing, but now when they lose everyone is shouting that I must resign or Asembo must go, do u want us to get into the field and score goals for Harambee stars? The under fire boss questioned.
However former Mathare United, Sofapaka and Ulinzi stars game planner thinks otherwise as Bobby Williamson now becomes coach number 28 and the fifth foreigner in six years, “Kenya is one of the few countries where coaches are hired and fired with little time to settle in, we need some patience and give them time for consistency,” thought Salim Ali, the KNVB trained and UEFA B licensed man rumored to be heading to Uganda.
Seif Mutie and Gilbert Selebwa who played in different generations of the national team echoed Ali’s comments and agreed that the country should invest into youth programs and do away with the already thought to be, accomplished senior players.
Williamson was in charge of the Cranes for five years and twice took them to the verge of qualifying for the Nations Cup – in 2013 Uganda were denied only be a penalty shoot-out loss to Zambia.
His latest role was coach of Gor Mahia, who he led to the Kenyan Premier League title last season on his first attempt.
The Scottish born tactician, who replaces Adel Amrouche, will be assisted by former Harambee stars captain Musa Otieno while Simeone Mulama takes over as team manager
Author: Shadrack Andenga Odinga