Not yet! Allan Wanga shrugs off Kakamega Homeboyz ‘coach’ tag

Kakamega Homeboyz forward Allan Wanga insists that he’s not planning to venture into coaching just yet even after a good start to his reign as player-coach of the Kakamega County based side.

Wanga has managed one win and a draw in his first two games since taking over on a temporary basis a fortnight ago after the departure of Paul Nkata who was accused of match-manipulation.

The Kenyan International is happy to help turn the team’s fortunes around but insists that he’s not a coach, labeling himself a ‘good leader’.

“It feels good to have played a role in recent matches as a coach and as a player. This only means that am a good leader, as am yet to become a coach,” he said.

The experienced forward, who has been capped by Kenya 44 times, added that he does not plan to venture into coaching just yet as he plans to continue with active football.

Wanga said, “I believe we will continue doing well in the remaining matches, as the club’s managment prepares to appoint a new coach.”

“For now I am still active and I will think about coaching in future. For now am just a leader and its been good since we haven’t lost and I believe we will not lose any game anytime soon.”

Allan Wanga, Kakamega Homeboyz Player-Coach

The former AFC Leopards, Tusker and Petro Atletico forward also spoke about the good camaraderie within the Kakamega Homeboyz squad.

“We have good players and most of the decisions we make we discuss as a family. I however would not like to be a coach for now,” he said.

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The club’s chairman Cleophas Shimanyula however believes Wanga has what it takes to be a good coach.

“He has helped us pick four points out of a possible six and that’s a good performance. We had gone for seven matches without a win and in the two matches that he’s been in charge, we’ve not lost so he’s doing a good job. If he had his coaching papers, I would have handed him the job permanently,” Shimanyula said.

Asked whether he had thought of venturing into coaching before, the widely traveled attacker admitted that he’d never viewed himself as a trainer.

“To be honest I had never thought of becoming a coach, I wanted to play and after retiring venture into other things. However after leading the team for two games, I feel it’s something I can try out in future.”

-Kevin Teya is a freelance sports journalist who covers Kenyan football