FKF Premier League side Kenya Police FC have confirmed the roping in of two new members to their technical bench ahead of the 2023-24 season.One of them is Salim Babu, who was on Thursday morning unveiled as the new team assistant head coach, landing an opportunity to work alongside ‘his old friend and coach’ – Francis Baraza.Welcome home Coach Salim Babu and Doc Nowel Mandi.@betikaKe@748AirServices@DTBduo#policingthroughsports— KENYA POLICE FC (@kenyapolicefc) July 20, 2023 “The best joins the best and the best replaces the best,” Kenya Police posted on their social media platforms on Thursday. “Salim Babu joins his old friend and coach, Teacher Francis Baraza as his Assistant head coach.”Babu – now former Nzoia Sugar head coach – was reported to have taken up the offer to work under Baraza at Kenya Police last month, and after a period of uncertainty – one that included Nzoia Chief Executive Officer Anthony Fungututi rubbishing reports surrounding his exit due to his running contract at the club – Mozzart Sport confirmed his exit on 10 July, now rubber-stamped by the club.“We have agreed to part ways mutually. There are no hard feelings and I wish them the best,” Babu said then, affirming his departure from Nzoia Sugar.The Best joins the Best and the Best replaces the Best.Salim Babu joins his old friend and Coach, Teacher Francis Baraza as his Assistant Coach while Nowel Mandi replaces Wycliffe Omom as Team Doctor. Wycliffe joined Tanzania giants Simba as Team Doctor earlier this month. pic.twitter.com/l2VE8ycs1n— KENYA POLICE FC (@kenyapolicefc) July 20, 2023 Babu explained his decision to take on a ‘lesser role’ at Kenya Police was necessary to enable him undertake his CAF ‘B’ course saying: “I had the opportunity to join another team as a head coach or even remain at Nzoia but that would have been unfair on them since I would be away most of the time attending the course.Kenya Police understand my situation and we have discussed that the best way to navigate around it is if I am an assistant coach.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7379279##With that, an opportunity to work with a man he played under for Sony Sugar in 2006, and an added weapon to improve Kenya Police’s chances of winning their maiden FKFPL title having finished third in the past season.Joining him in the side will be Nowel Mandi, who comes in as the new team doctor – replacing Wycliffe Omom who left the club for Tanzania’s Simba earlier this month.Beldine Odemba turns focus to World School ChampionshipMandi has previously served Wazito FC, and was the teams physio for the Kenya U20 and U23 teams.Nzoia Sugar on Monday announced that plans to recruit a new head coach are underway, inviting interested applicants with CAF C licenses to apply or submit directly to the club.
