This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
July 30, 2019
Andrew Rix Kanuli, the former Shabana FC coach, has agreed to take over as the new coach at Nzoia FC, a move that marks a new direction for the Mumias-based side.
After a few months of uncertainty regarding his future, Kanuli will take the reins at Nzoia FC, replacing Godfrey Oduor who moved to KCB to take over as assistant coach.
His arrival at Nzoia FC comes with a challenge to finish in the top five positions in the league, a goal that the club aims to achieve next season.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, Kanuli reflected on his time at Shabana FC, saying that despite the challenges he faced, his experience with the club made him a better coach.
He also sees the leap to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) as an opportunity to hone his skills in elite Kenyan football.
“I gave my best at Shabana, and that’s why opportunities like this one came my way. This is a good challenge for me, and also it is a chance for me to grow since I will be testing my abilities against the best in Kenyan football,” Kanuli said.
Having come through the ranks at Shabana FC, Kanuli credits the club for helping shape his career in football management.
“I got the opportunity to attend coaching classes and also work with experienced coaches, for instance, Gilbert Selebwa and James Nandwa,” he said.
With a top-five finish in the KPL on the cards, Kanuli understands that he will need to bring out the best in his charges at Nzoia Sugar.
“First of all, I will have to assess the talent and individual skills of my players before deciding on which formation and playing identity that fits them,” he argued.
Nzoia Sugar will get their 2018/19 season underway when they take on newly-promoted Wazito FC on August 31 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.
