NAIROBI, Kenya, July 21- Robert Matano has been appointed AFC Leopards coach with immeadiate effect.The former Sofapaka coach takes over from Chris Makokha who resigned on Tuesday.
Makokha bowed to public pressure to leave his post following two straight losses to Ulinzi and Mahakama at the beginning of the season’s second leg.
Another former AFC coach Gilbert Selebwa did not survive the purge with his title of operations manager being scrapped.
Matano is Leopards fourth coach in one and a half years, an indicator of the demands being put on whoever takes up one of the toughest jobs in Kenyan sport.
Selebwa was sacked early last season and was followed through the revolving door by Edward Manoah and Nick Yakhama who kept them up last season.
During that time, ‘Ingwe’ having been lurching from one crisis to another most significantly their haphazard tour of Western Kenya and their controversial elections earlier this year.
Matano returns to coaching after four month’s in the wilderness following his controversial departure from the defending champions due to alleged differences with the players.
Matano led Sofapaka to the Kenya Premier League (KPL) title in 2009 at the firt time of asking and was duly awarded the KPL Coach of the Year award.
He is no stranger to the Leopards coaching position having coached the legendary club in the past.
He will be assisted by Dino Kitavi and goalkeeper coach Razak Siwa while Tony Lidonde retains his post as team manager.
His first call of duty will be against KCB on Sunday when he will be tasked with jump starting ‘Ingwes’ faltering campaign.
It will then get tougher for Matano who then faces his former club on July 4 at Nyayo National Stadium in what promises to be a tense occasion.
