Touchline warfare: Foreign coaches set to clash with local lions in new KPL season

By  Wycliffe Nyaberi

Correspondent

After weeks of boardroom wars and court injunctions, top-flight football is finally back following the announcement that the 2026/2027 Kenyan Premier League season kicks off this Saturday.

The announcement by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) on Thursday followed a High Court ruling on August 28, and will bring an end to a chaotic pre-season that saw the restart pushed back from August 29 amid controversy over the promotion and relegation rules, which ended up in court.

Meanwhile, the men in the dugout have also stolen the headlines. While the big clubs opted for continuity, at least nine clubs made changes to their technical benches.

Four of the 17 clubs set to start the season will be under foreign coaches, as the FKF directive on CAF A licensing continues to take effect. Nairobi United will be managed by Belgian Patrick Aussems, while Frenchman Julien Mette is in charge at Tusker FC. Shaban FC have hired Egyptian coach Ahmed Fathi Abdalla Ibrahim, while Gor Mahia will continue to be managed by Ghanaian coach Charles Akonnor.

The FKF has decided to start the league with 17 teams while the courts decide on the 18th team, following a stalemate between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United.

Aussems, 59, was appointed at the end of last season to replace Godfrey Solo Oduor. The Uefa Pro Licence holder previously coached AFC Leopards in 2021 and 2022, leading them to a second-place finish. He has also managed Simba SC of Tanzania, Black Leopards of South Africa and the national team of Nepal. Aussems is known for his rigorous physical conditioning programmes and his use of the 3-5-2 playing system.

Tusker retained Mette, who is also a Uefa A licence holder, who recently humbled Gor 3-1 in their Super Cup encounter.

Last season, Shabana finished fifth with 52 points. They were under coach Peter Okidi, who left in March before the appointment of Fathi, their first foreign coach in 43 years.

Fathi is a CAF A licence holder with over 15 years' experience in Egypt, Malaysia and Ghana. He has previously managed second-tier teams in Egypt and was assistant coach at the Ghanaian Premier League team, the Swedru All Blacks.

“We have to work hard. It’s a big challenge, but we must compete for the league title,” said Fathi as he took over from interim coach Osborne on Monday.

Akonnor, who holds both a CAF A licence and a Uefa B licence, delivered the title last season with 69 points. He will be hoping for a repeat performance at Gor Mahia. Akonnor, the former Ghana captain and ex-Ashanti Gold coach, has implemented a possession-based 4-2-3-1 system.

There is a surprise but familiar switch at Kakamega Homeboyz. The club has appointed Edward Manoah as the new coach, replacing Patrick Odhiambo. Manoah previously coached Homeboyz, leading them to their first FKF Cup triumph in 2023. He most recently coached Mara Sugar FC.

Meanwhile, Mara Sugar FC have appointed Mike Muiruri as their new head coach. Muiruri previously managed Wazito FC (now defunct) and Nairobi City Stars. Francis Xavier, who kept Mara in the league last season after Manoah was sacked in April, has been made First Assistant Coach.

Meanwhile, Bandari FC have appointed Charles Okere to replace Bernard Mwalala as head coach. Okere, a top local coach, served at Tusker FC as an assistant coach and later as head coach. Mwalala has since joined AFC Leopards as assistant to head coach Fred Ambani.

Migori Youth, the National Super League (NSL) champions, have appointed Salim Babu as their new head coach. A CAF A licence holder, Babu is a former coach of the Kenya U20s and Nairobi City Stars. He replaces Sammy Owano, who guided Migori to the NSL title in the 2025/26 season. Owano will be Babu's assistant. At the time of Babu's appointment, Owano had not attained a CAF A or B licence.

Meanwhile, Mathare United have appointed David Ouma as their new coach following the dismissal of John Kamau. Ouma, who has previously served as assistant coach of the Harambee Stars, as well as head coach of Sofapaka and Bandari, is known for his possession-based attacking football and youth development.

Nicodemus Omasete, the little-known tactician who guided 3K FC from the NSL to the Premier League, is now in charge of the Embu-based team.

Ulinzi Stars are now managed by Mulinge Ndeto, their former defender who joined them midway through last season and steered them to safety.

Murang'a Seal (MSEAL) have retained the services of Dennis Odhiambo, a novice top-flight coach who joined midway through last season after Osborne Monday was sacked following a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Division One side Mfalme FC in the FKF Cup. Odhiambo is the son of the late legendary Kenyan coach Henry Omino.

APS Bomet have retained Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo as coach. He is a former Gor Mahia, Posta and Shabana FC coach. The CAF A licence holder led APS Bomet to safety last season.

AFC Leopards have retained Fred Ambani, a CAF A licence holder. The former Leopards and Harambee Stars striker is assisted by Mwalala.

KCB FC have retained veteran coach Robert Matano, a multiple KPL winner. Kenya Police FC have retained Nicholas Muyoti, the former AFC Leopards defender, who joined them last season and led them to the FKF Cup final. Posta Rangers have retained John 'Zico' Otieno, who is also a former Harambee Stars coach.

The crisis that caused the FKF to start the delayed league with 17 teams stems from two conflicting sets of rules. The 2019 FKF Rules provided for two automatic relegations and a play-off. However, the 2025 Regulations abolished the play-off and introduced a three-up, three-down system.

Under the 2025 rules, Sharks, who finished 16th last season alongside Sofapaka and Bidco United, were automatically relegated, while Migori Youth, 3K FC, and Mombasa United were due to be promoted.

Sharks challenged their relegation at the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT). On August 10, the SDT dismissed Sharks' petition.

Sharks then took their case to the Milimani High Court, obtaining a status quo order until September 21. A parallel petition at the High Court in Murang'a also restrained FKF from implementing the 2025 rules, but clarified that the federation may lawfully run its leagues under the 2019 rules.

This explains FKF's decision to start with 17 teams while the court determines the final slot between Sharks and Mombasa United.

With foreign tacticians such as Fathi, Aussems and Akonnor facing local lions like Matano, Okere and Ambani, the touchline battle may prove to be as fierce as the title race.

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