Former Gor Mahia coach explains why he disagrees with Shabana and Murang’a Seal’s transfer strategy

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FOOTBALL Former Gor Mahia coach explains why he disagrees with Shabana and Murang’a Seal’s transfer strategy

Joel Omotto 16:36 - 28.07.2023

The experienced tactician has given the newly-promoted teams advice as they seek to strengthen ahead of the grueling Premier League campaign

Former Gor Mahia assistant coach Frank Ouna has discouraged newly-promoted Shabana FC and Murang’a Seal from making wholesome changes to their squads in readiness for the Football Kenya Federation Premier League season.

Shabana and Murang’a are currently in the market for new players with the necessary quality and experience to navigate the grueling Premier League and the former have been reported to be looking for up to 10 new faces.

However, while Ouna feels it is necessary to strengthen due to the increased competitiveness and the gulf in quality between the top flight and second tier, he does not believe many new players are helpful.

“I completely disagree with wholesome changes. In my theory and practice, I believe a max (maximum) of 5-6 players per window is enough. If it goes beyond that, it ceases to be strengthening but (a) whole new team in place,” the former Wazito coach wrote on his Facebook page.

“I have forced (faced) this monster twice in my career. In both cases, my hand was forced by losing our best players to established clubs and management overstepping their mandate and expelling players before my arrival.”

Ouna, who also handled Mathare United before moving to Rwandan side Musanze FC, thinks the many changes are a result of poor planning which later comes back to bite hard.

“I also do feel that, if the promotion was a result of proper planning, then you will not need to do wholesome changes as you would have already taken care of the (KPL) quality while still in the NSL. I did this once,” he added.

“The question of loyalty is invalid ab initio (from the beginning), because even teams that win top championships release players and strengthen at the end of the season. Going and coming is part of football, if and only if reasonable and planned.”

Shabana have been linked with a number of players with AFC Leopards’ Cliff Nyakeya and Tusker’s Charles Momanyi among the top names said to be on the club’s radar as coach Sammy Okoth looks to sign players with experience.

Murang’a, meanwhile, have been rumoured to be eyeing former Bidco United players Batts Awita, Lucas Indeche, Geoffrey Kariuki and Zachary Gathu as well as SS Assad midfielder Wilberfoce Lugogo and Darajani Gogo captain Nicholas Omondi.