Former Gor coach Awono leaves for home
Last updated on 30 Jun 2012 00:00
By Stafford Ondego
Former Gor Mahia coach Anaba Awono was a bitter man as he left for his home in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Speaking during his farewell party organised by the club at Nyayo National Stadium earlier this week, Awono said harsh situations had forced him to leave since he had become a burden to his former club, which has been paying all his bills.
“I would have loved to stay, I like the country but I’m leaving just going because I have nothing to do around,” said Awono.
Awono was sacked after Gor Mahia registered five straight losses. They lost to Tusker FC in DSTV Cup, then to Ferroviaro De Maputo both home and away in CAF Confederations Cup before going down to Muhoroni Youth and Karuturi Sports in Kenyan Premier League (KPL) matches.
Despite the losses, Awono argued that he needed more time.
“I wonder why a coach should be sacked after losing a few matches. They (Gor management) didn’t give me time to work. I wanted two more months to deliver but they refused. I feel bad, but in football, coaches come and go,” he said.
Awono, who said he was willing to work in any capacity at the club, believes Gor can still win the KPL title this season since they have a good team.
He said he had plans of sacking unproductive players just as the new coach Zdravko Longarusic has done, but some club officials did not give him time and blamed some club officials for his failure.
Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier thanked Awono for his commitment to the club. Rachier, who paid all Awono’s hospital bills and an air ticket, wished the coach all the best.
“We didn’t sack Awono, but circumstances forced us to disband the technical bench. He gave us his best. To show we still loved him, our club continued paying his bills even after we parted ways.