Kenya: Leopards Close in On ‘Ghost’ As Yakhama Told to Reseign

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Dun Okinyo

14 July 2011

AFC Leopards are interested in signing former Harambee Stars coach Jacob Ghost Mulee, according to the club’s secretary general Josphat Bukachi. Bukachi said Ghost, alongside national team assistant coach Leonard Saleh and Karuturi Sports coach James Nandwa are among those listed as potential successors of Nick Yakhama, who has been under pressure to resign due to the club’s current poor performance in the league.

Bukachi also confirmed that Yakhama had been asked to step down and pave way for Dutchman Jan Koops to handle the team even as he coached the team yesterday at the Hope Centre in Kawangware. However, Saleh and Nandwa denied any knowledge of the interest from the club but Ghost said he had been contacted by the club and will be meeting them soon. “Yes, I was contacted and I will be meeting them to hear what they have to say. But for now, I can’t say much. I will just honour the invite and the rest will emerge after that,” Ghost said.

Bukachi said the decision to get a new coach was reached during the club’s executive meeting on Tuesday evening. “We discussed about the three coaches and agreed that Yakhama should steps down as we search for a new coach. We have names and we will engage them in more talks so that we can have a good technical bench and redeem ourselves,” he said.

Bukachi said any of the three coaches would be a major boost to the club. “Actually the fans will be happy if we get these kind of coaches. They have been successful and everyone knows what they have achieved. We would be happy to have one of them take over the club,” he said. He said even Koops, who was appointed early this month to assist Yakhama, will also be considered alongside others. Nandwa said it will be difficult for him to relinquish his job at Karuturi at a time when his team is getting back to it’s feet in the league. “I have had a very torrid moment at Karuturi and I don’t think I can just move that quickly to another club. It will be a tough call but I will have to wait and see,” he said.

It’s not the first time Ghost and Nandwa are linked to the club. Last year, Ghost was linked to a move to the club to replace Yakhama after the latter’s contract expired. Nandwa was to replace Robert Matano when he was sacked in April. Saleh has been KCB coach for years.

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