Troubles at cash-strapped Kenya Premier League outfit Wazito FC seem to have no near end in sight.
In the wake of an ongoing player exodus over unpaid dues, it is now confirmed that their Head Coach Francis Kimanzi has also downed his tools at the club.
Through an official statement posted on their social media pages on Thursday, 13th January 2022, Wazito announced that they have parted ways with the former Harambee Stars tactician following a string of poor perfomances.
Club Statement
We can confirm that head coach Francis Kimanzi, his assistants Jeff Odongo and John Kamau, and the goalkeepers' coach Samuel Koko have left the club. we wish them well in their future endeavors.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/XTYllIDEdx
— Ole Teya (@TeyaKev) January 13, 2022
Once touted as the Kenyan version of French moneybags of Paris-Saint German due to its financial prowess, things have not been rosy at the team lately with reports of unpaid salaries to both players and staff members at the club.
So dire is the financial situation at Wazito that some members of the first team have reportedly opted to boycott training sessions with others threatening to quit.
Some of the players who are said to be on their way out include strikers Eric Gichimu, Maurice Ojwang’, plus Kenyan internationals Cliff Nyakeya, midfielder Kevin Kimani, and Vincent Oburu.
Ojwang, who crossed to Wazito from Gor Mahia two seasons ago, recently revealed that he has been forced to relocate to his rural home in Kisumu after he went broke.
By the time he left Nairobi, he was unable to pay rent among other bills.
“I had no choice but to return to my home and engage in other activities as I look for another team. I couldn’t pay rent and meet my needs because I haven’t been paid now for four months. It was a tough decision but I rather stay here in the village and figure out how to survive,” he explained.
In its heyday, the club, owned by flashy businessman Ricardo Badoer flexed its financial muscles by luring talented and big names from all clubs in the competition including Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.
Youth side coach Fred Ambani has taken over interimly as the team explores options of hiring a coach on permanent basis.
