Tusker FC head coach Paul Nkata issuing instructions to his players when the team lost 1-0 to Niger in a friendly match on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.
NAIROBI, January 13 – Once in every lifetime someone has to put his reputation on the line. This season, it is the turn of Paul Nkata to make a date with his destiny as his coaching credentials will be put to test after the Ugandan was bestowed with the task of guiding Tusker FC regain its lost glory.
Nkata who was officially unveiled as the Brewers head coach on Wednesday alongside his assistant George Owoko and eight new players, is looking at changing the style of play at the club that will help them win the SportPesa Premier League for the first time since 2012.
The former Muhoroni Youth coach who has recruited eight new experienced players among them his son Fred Nkata, is hoping to produce high quality players that will do duty for their respective national teams.
“I’m going to change the style of play and I’m intending to use the format Uganda is using, this business of playing long ball is going to be delimited so do expect a good football this season.
“This is our year. I’m going to introduce the Barcelona way of play to ensure we keep the ball moving. My philosophy is one of the easiest, it’s going to take two weeks for the players to adapt we have already done one week and most of the players are happy,” Nkata who penned down a two-year deal stated.
“I want to take a player from one level to another so that five or more can be called to the national team unlike the past. My task is to win all the trophies available but if I get one it will be a motivation to start with,” The 53-year-old who has over 30 years of coaching experience, added.
-Ndolo comeback-
2014 Footballer of the Year Ekaliani Ndolo posing when Tusker FC unveiled its new players on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya.
Sofapaka midfielder, Ekaliani Ndolo, the 2014 Footballer of the Year is among the players that moved to the Ruaraka based side alongside former French’s OGC Nice FC midfielder, Luis Misiko, keeper David Okello, Collins Shivachi (Sofapaka), Jackson Macharia (Thika United), Shafik Batambuze (Western Stima) and Martin Kiiza who rejoined the side from AFC Leopards.
Ndolo who will want to erase the memories of 2015 as quickly as possible after flopping last season, is hoping to regain his form back at Tusker and possibly fight to win the Most Valuable Player for a second time.
The midfielder who had a two-year stint at Batoto Ba Mungu, pointed out that his downfall was contributed due to lack of finance at Sofapaka, something that led to a mass exodus during the June transfer window.
“Joining Tusker was the right move at the right time. For the past two years we experienced hard times financially so after my contract ended I thought it was the right move to regain my form.
“Last season we played most of our games without training and that made the form of many players drop so it’s not only me. At Sofapaka we could not give it our all because of lack of motivation but just to help the team finish in a respectable position,” Ndolo who is now playing his third season in KPL told Capital Sport.
Ndolo who penned down a two-year contract at Tusker was upbeat the class of 2016 has what it takes to win a trophy.
“The squad is good because we were together with most of the players at Sofapaka so I think we know each other well and we have an experienced coach, if he puts us together we shall perform to the fullest,” he added.
Nkata revealed the club is at an advanced talks with winger Timonah Wanyonyi who is expected to finalise his move by Friday.
At the end of last year, Tusker released winger Kevin Kimani, defender Jockins Atudo,Jesse Were, Emmanuel Ngama, Aziz Kemba, Fredrick Onyango. Dennis Nzomo, Dennis Ng’ang’a and Abdalla Juma.
Tusker finished fifth last season under the tutelage of former Harambee Stars head coach, Francis Kimanzi who is now with Mathare United.
