Immediate former Vihiga Bullets coach Evans Mafuta has accepted the club’s decision to replace him with Juma Abdalla after just five games in charge.
Abdalla, who last coached relegated Western Stima, took charge of Vihiga Bullets on Tuesday after being unveiled by the patron and former Vihiga County governor Moses Akaranga. Mafuta, however, felt he should have been given more time to turn things around.
“We are just five games into the season. Considering the team has just been promoted to the top tier league, there was still a chance of turning things around,” said Mafuta who wished the team well.
The coach said he will take a break as he waits for another opportunity. Mafuta further noted he has been working under difficult circumstances since he was assaulted at Mbale.
The case is under police investigations. Mafuta also added that financial challenges also contributed to the team’s dismal show. “The players are very good but they lack motivation due to financial issues,” the tactician added.
Mafuta is the first coach to lose his job in the current Kenya Premier League season. The Kenya National Coaches Association, through the secretary general John Kamande, condemned the incident where Mafuta was assaulted and called for action.
“We condemn what happened to Mafuta and appeal to the Football Kenya Federation and Vihiga Bullets to investigate the incident,” said Kamande in a statement.
During his tenure at Bullets, the team lost four matches and drew once. His last game was a 4-0 drubbing against the Jonathan Jackson Foundation-sponsored Nairobi City Stars last weekend. The team is currently bottom of the log with one point.