Company uncertainty affecting us, admits Nakumatt coach - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Features

Company uncertainty affecting us, admits Nakumatt coach

Nakumatt FC head coach Anthony Mwangi (far right) on the technical bench during a past Kenyan Premier League match. Photo/TIMOTHY OLOBULU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 3- Nakumatt FC head coach Anthony Mwangi has admitted the uncertainty surrounding their sponsor, Supermarket chain Nakumatt Holdings has affected them but he hopes his charges can weather the storm and finish off the season successfully.

The regional supermarket chain has been going through tough financial times and has been forced to close some of its branches as it grapples with debts and high operational costs.

Mwangi’s side sit 11th in the Kenyan Premier League standings but they have lost all their last three matches, against Ulinzi Stars and back-to-back against giants Gor Mahia who beat them 2-0 on Saturday and 1-0 on Wednesday.

“It was a good performance from us considering what we are going through. We have all been seeing in the news what the company has been going through and even the team is going through tough times. But I congratulate the boys because they have been trying despite the circumstances,” the coach told Capital Sports after the team’s 1-0 loss to Gor on Wednesday.

Nakumatt FC players ose for a group photo before a past kenyan Premier League match. Photo/TIMOTHY OLOBULU

Nakumatt have been referred to as the ‘money-bags’ considering the hefty salaries they pay players as well as the heavy sign-on fees they have been handing to players especially when they were still in the second tier seeking promotion.

They earned the much needed lift to top tier football at the start of the 2017 season when the Football Kenya Federation made the decision to increase the league to 18 teams.

Mwangi admits that the uncertainty might affect the performance of the team, but maintains they will keep fighting hard to ensure they achieve their target of finishing in the top half of the table.

“To be honest I don’t know much about what is happening because my work is only on the pitch. I am sure in the next couple of weeks we should know what is going on. It is somehow affecting the players bit I am trying to give them motivation,” the coach added.

Gor Mahia’s Meddie Kagere takes on nakumatt’s Kennedy Onyango. Photo/TIMOTHY OLOBULU

The Premier League newcomers will put their woes behind as they travel to Nakuru to face soldiers Ulinzi Stars at the Afraha Stadium on Saturday. Mwangi is confident they can pick up a revenge win and keep their hopes on track.

“We have some few injuries but we hope we can manage. Every game is different and with a different approach. It will be a tough game away from home but we have to go and get a win. I know we can still manage to keep our top half target because the gap is not that big,” Mwangi noted.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved