Nzoia hire ex-Shabana boss Kanuli as they bid to avoid relegation fight
Former Shabana FC assistant coach Andrew-Rix Kanuli has received a major reprieve after joining SportPesa Premier League side Nzoia Sugar as head coach.
Kanuli, who left with the Gusii-based outfit two months ago, is now relishing the new challenge.
The youthful tactician is credited with leading Shabana to National Super League promotion from Division One last year only for the club to make him deputy after brining in Gilbert Selebwa as head coach.
However, that seemed to have gone down badly with Kanuli who later fell out with Selebwa after initially getting on well.
“This is a new challenge. I hope to make a mark with the team. They have ambition and we want to ensure that we work together to find solutions. I am happy and at the same time anxious,” said Kanuli, set to replace Godfrey Oduor, who left Nzoia to join KCB.
Nzoia escaped relegation narrowly last season, having finished ninth in the previous campaign, and Kanuli has his work cut out given his new employers will not entertain another limp finish.
“There is a very short time but we have to see what can be done. It will be a long season but since it is a marathon, we will take every step at a time,” he added.
Kanuli’s appointment has, however, led to some voices of discontent among the Nzoia fraternity who expected the club management to scout for a more experienced tactician.
A former official of the club who did not want to be quoted told People Sport that Kanuli is still not ripe. “I feel the club should have done a good homework. We do not want to be in a situation where we struggle yet again,” he said.
