FKF Premier League side Mathare United have moved swiftly to fill their vacant head coach position, appointing experienced tactician David Ouma as the new man to lead the club into the 2026/27 season.
The Slum Boys confirmed Ouma’s arrival on Tuesday, announcing that the former Harambee Starlets, Sofapaka and Posta Rangers coach has signed a one-year deal and will begin work immediately. His first assignment will be to oversee pre-season preparations as Mathare seek to build on their narrow escape from relegation last term.
In a statement released on the club’s official platforms, Mathare described Ouma’s appointment as both a homecoming and a strategic step toward restoring the club’s competitive edge.
“Mathare United is pleased to announce the appointment of David Ouma as Head Coach of the Men’s team. Ouma, a MYSA alumnus, first served at the club as an assistant head coach between 2004 and 2005. He has signed a year-long deal and will begin his role immediately, with his first task being to bring the team together for pre-season training,” the club said.
Ouma returns to Kenyan football after a successful three-year spell in Tanzania, where he handled Premier League sides Coastal Union and Singida Black Stars, guiding both clubs into continental competition. A CAF A-licensed coach, he arrives with a wealth of experience across club and national team football, having also previously managed Harambee Starlets and worked with several FKF Premier League outfits.
His appointment comes just weeks after Mathare officially launched the search for a new head coach following the departure of John Kamau on May 11. Kamau left during a difficult campaign that saw the 2008 league champions dragged into a relegation battle, prompting the club to place assistant coach Mohamed Mchulla in temporary charge for the remainder of the season.
Mchulla succeeded in his short-term mission, steering Mathare to safety and helping the club finish 14th on the table with 41 points. With top-flight survival secured, the club’s focus shifted from immediate rescue to long-term rebuilding, and the search for a permanent head coach began.
The vacancy notice published by Mathare painted a clear picture of the profile they wanted. The club sought a “visionary leader” with a strong track record at the highest levels of the game, setting strict requirements that underlined their ambition to move beyond survival mode.
Candidates were required to hold at least a CAF A Licence or an equivalent qualification recognised by CAF or FIFA, alongside a minimum of 10 years’ coaching experience either in top-tier league football or at senior national team level. The club also wanted a coach with a proven record of success, including league titles, domestic cups or major regional honours, as well as strong leadership, communication and player-development credentials.
Mathare further stressed the importance of talent identification and youth development, values deeply embedded in the club’s history and one that makes Ouma’s appointment particularly fitting. As a MYSA alumnus and a coach with broad experience in nurturing players, Ouma appears to match both the technical and cultural profile the club was targeting.
His task now will be to revive a side that has spent recent seasons fighting for stability rather than honours. Once one of the most admired clubs in Kenyan football for their vibrant playing style and production of talent, Mathare are determined to re-establish themselves as a serious force in the domestic game.
Ouma’s arrival signals the beginning of that rebuild. After a season defined by uncertainty and a battle for survival, the Slum Boys will hope the former Starlets tactician can provide the structure, identity and consistency needed to push the club back toward the upper end of the FKF Premier League table.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google