Kakamega Homeboyz have appointed former Kenyan international John Baraza as their new head coach.Baraza who prior to his appointment was attached to National Super League side Mara Sugar will be deputized by Peter Okidi with veteran tactician Edward Manoah taking up the technical director role.The club also confirmed another retired Kenyan international in Ramadhan Balala as their new trainer while David Juma retains his goalkeepers’ trainer role.The former Gor Mahia custodian was bestowed with the responsibility to tutor the goalkeepers after hanging his gloves at the end of the past season bringing to an end his 19-year long stint in the top flight as an active player to an end.##NAJAVA_MECA_6756844##Homeboyz had been without a substantive coach from July following the decision by the club’s chairman Cleophas Shimanyula to disband the technical bench for its failure to win the league title in the past season.Abana Abeingo were on the verge of winning their maiden league title but loss of form in the closing stages of the season saw Tusker pip them to the gong on goal difference grounds.The bench, that was led by Bernard Mwalala by then paid heavily for its sins as the outspoken Shimanyula fired them with Manoah taking over on interim basis.The arrival of Baraza, a CAF B coaching license holder means that the soft-spoken gaffer is back to the top flight after close to two years in the lower tiers.Former Kenyan international John Baraza is the new Kakamega Homeboyz head coach. He will be assisted by Peter Okidi.Edward Manoah has been confirmed as the club’s technical director. pic.twitter.com/aWutSBb9pp— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) October 27, 2022 The former striker last manned the touchline in the top division in December 2020, a year that ended sourly for him as Sofapaka showed him the door thanks to the poor start of life in the 2020-2021 season.He would resurface at Division One side Equity FC in March the following year where he guided the bankers to the quarter finals of the domestic Cup.CAF reopens bidding process for 2025 AFCONBaraza, left Equity in April this year only for Mara Sugar who were debuting in the second tier in the past term to acquire his signature.The former Kenyan Premier League Golden Shoe winner will be deputized by Okidi who is not new to the club as the latter served as Nicholas Muyoti’s assistant two years ago.Homeboyz who signed more than six players in the window had earlier on confirmed veteran midfielder Ali Bhai as the new club skipper. He inherited the armband from Juma.
