Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup defending champions Kenya Police have sacked their entire technical bench following a disappointing start to the 2024/2025 FKF Premier League season, Sportpesa Blog can confirm.
Initially reports surfaced that the club’s CEO Chris Onguso had expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, even threatening to fire the entire management.
“If our dear chairman, Mr. Nyale, and Board Chairman Dr. Bishop Akama forgive you for the poor results in recent matches, they must have thick skin.
As for me, I will not have any kind words. I’m ready to fire everyone and start anew,” Onguso reportedly told the team.
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While the club has yet to release an official statement, sources within the team have confirmed that the entire technical staff has been dismissed with Beldin Odemba, who led Kenya Police Bullets to an unbeaten campaign in the 23/24 FKF Women’s Premier League last season, set to take over the team on an interim basis.
Sportpesa Blog also understands that the players have not yet been informed about the changes.
“Yes, it’s true. Babu and his team have been let go, and Beldin and his staff will take charge on an interim basis until a new coach is appointed in the coming weeks,” a source told SportPesa Blog.
Kenya Police had been under the leadership of Salim Babu, who took over as head coach in December 2023 after being promoted from his role as assistant coach under Croatian Zdravko Logarusic who was fired.
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Antony ‘Mondo’ Kimani assisted Babu, registered as head coach due to his CAF A certification, but continued to work under Babu.
Recently, Modo who filled in after Idd Salim left the club, acted as the head coach while Babu took charge of the U20 Junior Stars.
Ishmael Balanga had served as the technical director but stepped down shortly after his appointment a few weeks ago.
This appointment makes her only the second woman to coach a top-tier FKF Premier League team, following Jackline Juma of Talanta FC.
Kenya Police, who have been in strong form over the past three years, have struggled this season, managing just one win in five matches, a 2-0 victory over Mathare United.
Kenya Police results so far
The team has drawn three times, against Tusker FC, Sofapaka, and Ulinzi Stars, and suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Shabana before the international break.
The law enforcers are set to face third-placed Kariobangi Sharks on Friday evening in their next league match.
Babu initially joined as an assistant to Francis Baraza before taking over after Logarusic’s sacking last December.
The news of Babu’s sacking comes as a surprise as he led Police to the 23/24 FKF Cup which secured them their first-ever ticket to continental football.
They exited in the second preliminary round of the 24/25 CAF Confederation Cup after tough matches against Egyptian giants Zamalek SC.
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