Struggling 2009 Premier League champions Mathare United have extended the contract of coach Francis Kimanzi by one year.
The Nairobi-based club, uncharacteristically lying last in the 18-team table, have also reinforced their squad with youngsters Samuel Olwande, Ronald Reagan and Frank Liyayi before the resumption of the competition this week.
Olwande joins the slum boys on a six-month loan deal from Tusker, while striker Reagan and left back Liyayi have been handed three-year contracts each to lure them from lower tier sides Kibera Black Stars and FC Kenafric respectively.
Under pressure coach Kimanzi said that he planned to make three more major signings before the end of the current transfer window on June 30 as he looks to arrest a worrying slump that has seen the team lose eight of their 13 fixtures so far with just two wins.
“Reagan is a very promising lad who I have been following him for some time and I am very happy that he is now part of this team. He has a natural instinct for goals and I hope that he will be able to do that job for us.
“We needed an experienced player at the back and Olwande is a good fit for us because he has been in the league for a very a while. As for Frank he is an exciting prospect and he is part of our long term project,” Kimanzi told the club’s official website.
Meanwhile, Mathare have lost the services of striker Ronald Okoth.
There is also heavy talk that the technical bench has compiled a list of eight more players who will be offloaded this transfer period.
Okoth confirmed his departure via a long Facebook post on June 9 that thanked the team members and management for the support he received while there.
It is unclear what move the striker will make next, as he announced his retirement from football in December 2015 while at Western Stima, only to reappear at Mathare seven months later.
“I have officially chosen to terminate my contract with Mathare Utd FC on a mutual agreement. It has been a real blessing being part of you guys through the highs & lows. I am grateful to the top management (chairman & CEO), coaching staff & most importantly the playing unit led by the big man Wise assisted by Danny. Thanks for the love and amazing time we all shared especially team Gatafe (you guys just never give up, don’t you?! huh!?).I am officially fan number 2,” the post read.
