Nzoia Sugar FC in crisis: Charles Odera opens up on unpaid players & struggles to keep team alive

coach Charles Odera has opened up the challenges of managing the club since their relegation to the National Super League.

explained that players have gone without pay for about seven months and they are still struggling, with no one to come to their aid.

He pointed out that several players have also quit and gone to find greener pastures, leaving the club without a talented team and forcing the coach to recruit the locals who are on the verge of giving up due to financial struggles.

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He explained that most of the players have failed to clear their rent arrears and have their houses locked with some finding it difficult to even buy food.

“It has been so difficult coaching a team where players have gone for seven months without pay and there are some who got tired along the way and decided to go to other teams and now the team cannot stay without players,” Charles Odera said in an interview shared by Daily Sport.

“We had to pick players who were just here with us and at the moment, go without eating too. Some of them also have issues with their families, their houses have been locked and such issues can’t be addressed.”

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He explained that there is no morale in the camp and players are demotivated due to the struggles they are currently facing.

Charles Odera has been forced to take up roles like a psychologist and pastor aside from being a coach, pointing out that the players need to be psyched up and motivated before they even go to practice.

Due to the financial struggles, he added that they have reduced their training days because the players have nothing to look forward to and would rather stay in their houses than show up for training.

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Charles Odera called upon relevant stakeholders to come on board and support the young talent who might turn out to be the next Michael Olunga or

“These really kill their hopes and they are unable to perform during matches and you can talk to them to do better but before they play, what are they going to eat? We want to urge sponsors to come and support these young players because the situation is worse,” Charles Odera said.

“Travelling has become a problem and some players are not even aware, that we are in the ICU. If they don’t come on board, we shall have to close the team.

“Getting a team in the NSL is not easy because many have financial struggles. I have turned into a counsellor and now we have even reduced.”

Nzoia Sugar FC now lie ninth on the table with 29 points and they hope to rise steadily to the top amid the struggles.