NAIROBI, Kenya, July 14 – Kenya Premier League side Gor Mahia has parted ways with Coach James Siang’a. 
A press statement signed by club secretary Vincent Kodera on Tuesday afternoon said that the coach’s contract had come to an end and that both parties had decided not to renew it.
And Siang’a confirmed the decision saying that he had opted not to renew the contract due to lack of support from the club’s vociferous fans.
The news comes on the back of weeks of protests by Gor Mahia fans who were demanding that the veteran coach leaves the club.
It has been a seesaw battle between the club’s fans and the fiery coach with fans calling for his sacking two months into this season.
A succession of losses saw him stop sitting on the team’s bench which ironically coincided with the team’s best run of form in May during which the club won six games to move upto midtable.
But Siang’a made a return to the team’s training ground in June and when the team lost 2-1 to Chemilil two weeks ago, fans staged an hour long sit at Nyayo national stadium demanding his sacking.
Another slim loss to Thika last weekend saw the fans again demand for his departure and they were granted their wish on Tuesday.
But as early as last week, Gor Mahia officials were adamant that Siang’a was the man to lead the club forward.
Speaking at a local football show, Kodera gave the coach his backing, “We believe that Siang’a shares our vision of where we want Gor Mahia to be and he is the right man for the job.”
On his part, Siang’a had only earlier this week expressed his desire to stay despite the overwhelming opposition, “I want to leave a legacy. I was part of the people who started Gor Mahia and I want to leave a legacy that even my grandchildren can identify with.”
Siang’a took over the reins at Gor in July last year with the club hovering above relegation places in the league.
He masterfully guided them away and into midtable security, winning three trophies along the way.
Gor won Jamhuri day cup, and the President’s Cup to qualify for continental competition for the first time in decades.
