Delighted man: Koko buzzing over 'massive' opportunity at KCB

Presented as part of a brand new KCB FC technical bench, there wasn’t a figure as happy and as appreciative as that of the goalkeeping coach - Samuel Koko.

Standing alongside the club’s new head coach Bernard Mwalala in the unveiling ceremony on Friday at the KCB headquarters, Koko was among the larger group consisting of among others, assistant coach Elvis Ayany, fitness coach Erick Muranda and team manager Michael Oyando, set to take the reins at the club in the 2023-23 season.

Months ago for Koko, he was reeling through the effects of a tiring season at Mathare United, and one that saw him navigate from being a keeper trainer, an interim head coach, and back to keeper trainer.

And despite being passed through the fire - where he stood on the touchline for the first time in his footballing career hurling instructions - the purple patch he enjoyed in reviving the club from the foot of the table, ultimately resulted in the Slum Boys suffering their first top-flight relegation in club history.

Recounting how bleak his situation was, to now landing a spot at a stable club operating in the top half of the FKF Premier League standings, Koko couldn’t stop but embrace the glorious chance on his plate.

“I am so delighted man,” Koko said of his new opportunity. “If you could have told me about this opportunity last month I would have doubted you. This is just a true reflection of what good work can do.

“I have never taken any opportunity for granted. And looking at my run at Mathare, someone might have noticed what I was doing. And so when the call came on Monday last week, I had no chance to decline.”

A CAF C license holder, Koko started off his run as head coach at Mathare United last season with four wins in six, before a horrid run of five losses in six meant that his position was untenable, the club demoting him back to his trainer position as Charles Omondi took over as coach till the end of the season.

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“As a coach, you definitely want to see some growth in your career,” Koko said. “That stint gave me a different look and motivated me to actually look up for such opportunities when ready and qualified to do so. I plan to enroll for CAF-B classes and see what the future holds.”

At the moment, will be a high pressure situation where results are key, and under Mwalala, Koko believes positive change will be visible in quick time.

“He is a man I have worked with before and I know his abilities,” Koko said. “His resume screams of big achievements. Whether you look at him at Bandari, Nzoia or Kakamega Homeboyz. He has been in the league for long and am pretty confident he is the one cut for the job. A piece of silverware in the first year won’t come as a surprise.”

On the opportunity to work with a top keeper in Bryne Odhiambo - who he nurtured at Mathare United, Koko said; “His ceiling is very high and over the years, his progress has been amazing. He made it to the national team squad and even started. There is so much as a coach I can do in terms of making him maintain his level, and maybe become a consistently top goalkeeper in Kenya.”

On Monday 17 July, Koko will make his first trip to work at his new station, as KCB begin preseason training.

“It will be a good time. We will deliver,” he concluded.