Mwatate United axe Mafuta and Ochieng as NSL struggles deepen

Mwatate United have parted ways with head coach Evans Mafuta and his assistant Ali Ochieng in a decisive move aimed at arresting the club’s alarming slide in the 2025/26 National Super League season.

The coaching duo exits at a time when the coastal side sits rock bottom of the 20-team table with just 21 points, having endured a difficult campaign marked by inconsistency and defensive frailties.

Mwatate have managed only one win in their last five matches, a run that includes defeats to Talanta FC, Soy United, Nzoia Sugar and Kisumu All Stars, leaving their survival hopes hanging by a thread.

Mafuta, a well-travelled tactician in Kenyan football, arrived with a solid résumé, having previously guided APS Bomet to a second-place finish in the NSL and promotion to the top tier.

He also enjoyed spells with Vihiga Bullets, Silibwet Leons, Eldoret Youth FC and Nairobi Stima, where he notably posted a remarkable 93 percent success rate over nine matches. Despite that pedigree, he was unable to inspire a turnaround at Mwatate.

The club’s struggles are reflected in their season statistics, having registered just five wins, six draws and 16 losses while conceding 44 goals and scoring only 20. Their away form has been particularly concerning, with only one victory recorded on the road.

Efforts to steady the ship earlier in the season included a mid-term squad overhaul targeting experienced players, as well as internal restructuring within the technical bench.

However, these changes yielded little improvement, with financial challenges and player welfare concerns further compounding the situation.

Attention now turns to the dugout as Mwatate prepare for crucial upcoming fixtures against Vihiga United and Equity FC, matches that could prove pivotal in their fight to avoid relegation.