Nzoia Sugar FC have been dealt a big blow in their relegation battle as head coach Ibrahim Shikanda has understandably left the club.
According to sources within the dressing room, the 37-year old technician has not travelled with the squad to Nairobi ahead of their tomorrow’s clash with KCB.
CLUB NEWS:
We have appointed Ibrahim Shikanda as our new Head Coach.
Shikanda will now be deputized by Sylvester Mulukurwa who has been serving as the interim Coach.
Let us welcome Shikanda to Nzoia Sugar FC. pic.twitter.com/305Eu895Gs
— NZOIASUGARFC (@nzoiasugarfc2) January 6, 2021
The relegation candidates have only picked one win out of their last 10 outings, marking their worst start of the season since being promoted to the top tier five years ago.
Sources close to Shikanda have told WakajuanessLive.Com that Shikanda had been citing at external interference with his job, something he says has frustrated him.
However, the club has refuted claims, saying the former Nairobi Stima boss has not handed in any official resignation letter.
“We have not yet received any formal communication from our coach as required, therefore we don’t have that update,” stated the company’s PRO Florence Mutinda in a telephone interview with this writer.
Shikanda signed for Nzoia Sugar FC in January 2021 from Division One League side Bungoma Superstars FC and has been at the helm of the club for only a year.
Happiest birthday to our former coach Ibrahim Shikanda . How old now? 37? Enjoy life mkubwa. pic.twitter.com/HPzQiEDXKg
— BungomaSuperstarsFC (@BgmSuperStarsFC) August 27, 2021
Coincidentally, Shikanda had resigned at a time his team is meeting KCB just like he resigned as Nairobi Stima Coach after losing 1-4 against the same KCB, ending their hopes of earning a promotion to the Kenya Premier League.
After KCB, the millers play against Premier League giants Gor Mahia in the next fixture.
If Shikanda’s exit is officially confirmed, it will mean that player-coach Peter Gin, who has been assuming assistant responsibilities, takes over in acting capacity until a new coach is scouted and signed.
Our efforts to reach out to Shikanda for comments were fruitless as his phone was unreachable.