NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 1 – Vihiga Bullets head coach George Owoko says they are not even sure whether they will travel back to Western Kenya after their match against AFC Leopards, as they could only afford to travel one way for the midweek clash.
Bullets had given a walkover to Sofapaka in their weekend match after failing to travel to Nairobi and coach Owoko says they had to rely on local Mama Mboga and Bodaboda riders to help them honor Wednesday’s match.
“We are having it very rough and it is difficult. Even for this trip, we only managed to come because of what we got from well wishers. The money was only enough to get us here and we don’t know how we will get back home. We had to come because we knew if we handed another walkover it would be tough,” Owoko told Capital Sport.
He added; “I just want to appeal to anyone who can come to help us even if it is the Federation who can lend us some money then we pay them back otherwise we will have it very rough.”
Bullets arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday morning, just hours to their match, and spent at their sponsor, former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga’s residence in Rongai.
Owoko also disclosed it was difficult to get lunch and the players had to survive on tea.
“Mzee (Akaranga) is unwell at the moment and also there is only so much he can do. He has done so well for this club and given us quite a lot and the sad thing is that there is nothing he is getting back,” said the coach.
He added; “I have a very good team but the only thing we are lacking is motivation. If we can get a well wisher or a sponsor, that would be great for us.”
“We are running the team at zero balance and we don’t have anything. When we played against Nzoia we could only get the players to Kakamega when returning and from there, everyone had to find their way home. It will be very difficult for us,” further added the coach.
Bullets were relegated at the end of last season, but had a second lease of life in the top flight after the Federation nullified results from the Caretaker Committee run league.
And now, the club, which has been run by former Vihiga Governor Akaranga, is facing tough times.
