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City Stars’ woes could see them close shop


Who will come to the rescue of Nairobi City Stars? The club is facing a grim financial crisis that is threatening to halt its operations.

The club is yet to pay players their March salaries and the situation has already claimed Nigerian head coach Robinson Ofuokwu, who parted ways with the club on Sunday evening.

Briton Tim Bryett has already taken his place and will work on what club chairman Peter Jabuya termed as “friendly terms” as they assess the situation.

In a lay it all interview, a straight talking Jabuya said that working with the Nigerian had become untenable as the club was in need of someone who could understand the situation.

“Our former coach (Bye Wadda) worked for free. He was a personal friend and understood the tight rope we were walking,” he said of the Gambian, who guided the side in the 2013 campaign.

Ofuokwu left the Kawangware-based side on Sunday morning after briefing his players of his departure and less than 12 hours later, 32-year-old Bryett had agreed to give his services “pro bono” conducting his first training session on Tuesday.

“He (Tim Bryett) has joined us. He will be the head coach and deputised by Joseph Jagero. He is basically going to work for free. We may only give something small here and there. He is here to help us and we will review the situation as time goes by,” Jabuya said.

NairobiNews has learnt that Ofuokwu, who joined the team in January had initially wanted a Sh300,000 sign on fee, but this demand was revised down to Sh200,000 but it could not be met at the time owing to the dire financial situation hence reaching the agreement of paying in installments.

According to his contract, the tactician was entitled to a monthly basic pay of Sh65,000 coupled with a Sh8,000 winning allowance and Sh4,000 for every draw.

Total pay

In total, Ofuokwu would take home about Sh90,000 per month including the adds-on from the sign on fee installments.

Meanwhile, the club’s new coach who is largely unknown in football circles has spent considerable time in Brazil.

He is fluent in English and Portuguese, holds an Uefa B licence and an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Industry Management and Football Studies.

In his personal blog Bryett describes himself as “a self-proclaimed student of beautiful football who specialises in tactical, technical, fitness and conditioning.