Mwalala ditches Ulinzi for KCB ahead of new season

Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) side Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Football Club have acquired the services of former Kenyan international Bernard Mwalala as their new tactician for the upcoming season.

Mwalala’s appointment comes in the wake of Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno’s departure from the club after his contract expired.

Zico as he is popularly known has been at the helm of the banker’s coaching staff for four uninterrupted years.

The move is part of an ambitious plan to revamp the technical bench as the club embarks on rejuvenated aspirations for a maiden topflight title.

Mwalala who is a former footballer having played for the national team on several occasions is not new in the local football circles having coached teams such as Nzoia Sugar FC, Bandari FC, and Kakamega Homeboyz respectively.

As a coach, Mwalala has fallen short of silverware three times, coming in second back in 2018 and 2019 with Bandari and losing to Tusker on goal difference in 2022 with Kakamega Homeboyz.

He will be tasked with changing the team’s fortunes as the Bankers seek to clinch the long-awaited silverware.

Mwalala was facing stiff competition from Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo, formerly with Kenya Police, and Kenya Under-18 head coach Stanley Okumbi.

Despite coming out as a formidable team in the league the bankers placed a disappointing fifth on the log with 64 points in the concluded season.

However, Bankers Club’s management is confident that Mwalala’s experience and track record change the team’s fortunes and be a formidable competitive team for the 2023/2024 season.

On the other hand, Ulinzi Stars have announced the appointment of an interim coach to replace Mwalala.

In a statement released by the club on its social media pages, the club’s management has also announced that Vincent Odhiambo will be taking charge in an interim capacity.

The Ulinzi Stars Management wish to announce the Appointment of Senior Sergent Vincent Moriero Odhiambo, a dedicated and talented member of our coaching staff, will be taking charge as the interim coach,” the statement said.