Selebwa is the right person to take us ahead - Moses Abwenje

Luanda Villa chairman Moses Abwenje is confident that the newly appointed coach, Gilbert Selebwa, is the right man to take the club to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) next season.

The former AFC Leopards coach was appointed on Tuesday to replace Tom Tera at the Vihiga County-based team that is playing in the National Super League (NSL) for the first time following promotion last season.

Tera was handed the assistant coach role to create ample time for him while he embarks on the CAF B coaching license course, which the club has fully committed to sponsoring.

The club head further said Selebwa’s appointment was in line with the new club licensing rules that demand NSL coaches to have at least a CAF B license qualification.

“We have enough trust in Selebwa to take us to the Premier League, the first few sessions with the players have been very impressive and we know with the capabilities he possesses, he is taking us places,” Abwenje told Mozzart Sport.

“There are things that have been changed by the new rules of the Club Licensing which means that all the Clubs in the top tier league must have attained the Class A license while those who will coach at the National Super League level are required to have not less than Class B license as the minimum qualification and that also escalated our decision,” he added.

Meanwhile, the chairman has outlined that, the club will not be looking to cash on their young players whom he said have a long-term contract at the club.

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Coach Selebwa expressed his confidence in leading the team to the FKFPL next season.

“I have accepted the challenge and the expectations are that the team Luanda Villa wants to be promoted to the Premier League next season and nothing short. I am aware that my contract that I have signed is based on ensuring I take Villa to the Premier League next season and I am fully committed to it and very much ready to hit the ground running,"

“We must make sure that we change the way of doing things at Luanda Villa, twist things here and there to see to it that we land in the Premier League come the season 2025-2026,” the confident Selebwa said.

NSL: Luanda Villa appoint former Leopards coach Gilbert Selebwa

The seasoned coach promised to beef up the squad at the end of the current campaign as they seek to mount the NSL title challenge next season.

“That is why the officials of this club have asked for my services while Tom Tera will be deputizing me as he embarks on the Class B licensing training. I have been Tera’s manager at AFC Leopards and I can say he is a wonderful person who will help me to attain the club’s dream of going to the Premier League.” He added.

Villa are currently placed 11th in the 20-team league on 43 points with six matches left to play.

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