Posta Rangers head coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo has explained how emotionally challenging it was for him to face his former club Shabana last weekend.
The mailmen secured all three points at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos after making a comeback on Sunday in a 2-1 result that lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Dennis Okoth broke the deadlock for Shabana in the first half before Shami Mwinyi Kibwana equalized just a minute before the break.
Ivan Wekesa then netted the decisive goal in the second half, handing Posta their fifth win of the season, placing them in 15th place with 20 points from 20 matches (5W 5D 10L).
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In his fifth match since taking over, Pamzo claimed his second victory with previous results including a 3-2 loss to Police FC, a 2-1 defeat to Sofapaka, a 2-1 win against FC Talanta, a 2-1 loss to Gor Mahia and finally the 2-1 triumph over Shabana.
Facing his former club, Pamzo described the encounter as emotionally taxing considering he had been coaching some of the same players he was now competing against.
“I knew this match was going to be tough. Personally, it was an emotional challenge because three months ago, I was coaching some of these players, and now I was facing them.
It was difficult but I knew if we executed our game plan we could win,” Pamzo explained in an interview with Kangwana Media.
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He further elaborated on how his tactical adjustments helped secure the victory despite Shabana’s current strong form.
“I told my players to remain proactive and execute what was expected of them, and then they would secure the win,” he added.
“I knew that Shabana would be under pressure if they hadn’t scored or if we equalized. In the second half, I knew exactly what to do. I spoke to my players, and tactically, we weren’t supposed to be overly defensive as we needed to stay close to their area. That’s how we won,” he said.
The former Tusker FC head coach emphasized that he is not putting undue pressure on his players, but he approaches every game as a final.
His goal is to escape the relegation zone, and he is also aiming to make strategic signings during the current transfer window.
Posta Rangers will face Kariobangi Sharks on Friday, February 14 at Dandora Stadium in their next match.
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