Ouma has been with the club since 2012 after joining from Posta Rangers and has shuffled between head coach and assistant in his four years at the club. PHOTO/courtesy
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 21- David Ouma has been axed as the Sofapaka FC head coach with his assistant John Baraza being appointed to head the relegation threatened club till the end of the season.
Ouma, who is currently with the national women’s football team en-route back to the country after a 10-day training camp in Morocco, has been asked to step aside from his club duties as the club has been suffering in his absence.
“Given the season is at an advanced stage and with the club fighting to stay in the Kenyan Premier League, the club management feels the regular presence of the coach, on a daily basis to handle the team, is ideal, and with your continued absence as you handle the national team, the club has suffered a lot,” Sofapaka’s letter mailed to Ouma read in part.
“The Kenya Women National Team is scheduled to play in the Cup of Nations in Cameroon in November and that comes with a lot of responsibility from you as the coach, to prepare the team, which unfortunately means the club will miss your valued services for most of the remaining matches.”
Ouma has been with the club since 2012 after joining from Posta Rangers and has shuffled between head coach and assistant in his four years at the club.
Sofapaka FCHead Coach Dsvid Ouma having a discussion with members of his technical bench during a past match. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
He took over from Sam Timbe who left the club mid last season after his contract ended and the financially strapped Sofapaka unable to tie him down to a new deal.
Throughout this season, Ouma has been shuttling between the Eastleigh High School base where Sofapaka train and the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani where Harambee Starlets camp and the same is said to have affected the performance of the club.
In a previous interview, Ouma denied that handling the two jobs has cost Sofapaka who are now facing the prospect of relegation after seven years in the Kenyan Premier League.
‘Batoto ba Mungu’ face Muhoroni Youth on Friday afternoon at the Ruaraka Complex and a loss coupled with a win by 14th placed Ushuru FC on Sunday will see the club relegated to the National Super League next season.
