Nairobi City Stars have confirmed that veteran midfielder Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo will be part of the technical bench awaiting full recovery from injury.Pinchez, was forced out of training days before a road trip to Kakamega Homeboyz in mid-February after picking up an injury.With the experienced midfielder still out, the club opted to tap his wisdom by handing his a berth in the technical bench, even as he works towards achieving full recovery.##NAJAVA_MECA_7142321##“Opiyo’s injury was a blow but we chose to look at the opportunities that came around his period of his inactivity,” team coordinator Samson Otieno told the media wing.Pinchez, spared time to take up the Confederation of African Football (CAF) D coaching course that, has attracted a number of former players as well as, active ones.“It was the opportune time for him to go to class for coaching lessons,” added Otieno.Mozzart Bet Cup: McKinstry backs Gor Mahia to skin Kakamega Homeboyz alive in front of their fansHaving already laid hands on the coaching certificate, the management, elected to draft him in the bench to assist coach Nicholas Muyoti.“With that in hand, it was best that he temporarily jumps over to the technical bench to start his coaching apprenticeship under the guidance and instructions of coach Nicholas Muyoti. Once fully recovered, he can return to the field to contest a position before season end,” said Otieno.AFC Leopards boss Patrick Aussems wary of Murang’a Seal threatOpiyo, who last featured against Kenya Police in the first week of February, talked up the rare chance that has presented itself.“I love being on the pitch, but with an injury there is so much that you can do till the day you heal. This is a great opportunity to learn the ropes of coaching and more so from my former team mate and captain at Thika United, Muyoti,”“I now sit on the bench on game days which is a strange place to be considering I am still an active player. But it gives me a whole new view of the game. On training days I conduct sessions as instructed by Muyoti,”“That said, I wish to make the most out of this chance to understand coaching which will be of great value to the team when I return to the pitch, and in the future when I will not be on the pitch,” added OpiyoOriga set for a longer spell on the sidelinesMuyoti, said, the latest development will lay a solid foundation for Pinchez to become a respected coach in the future.“This is exactly how my coaching journey started. After a few injuries’ here and there while at Leopards, coach (Jan) Koops initiated me to the bench with similar duties to what Opiyo has now,”“It’s a primary and very important step towards the world of coaching. Opiyo has what it takes to excel in this area. He now has the time and I urge him to optimize his chance before he can return to the pitch,” added Muyoti.According to statistics provided by the club, Pinchez, has so far featured in 10 games clocking 689 minutes, scoring once.
