Former Shabana FC captain plotting comeback after finding solace in coaching during long-term injury

Former Shabana FC and Kisumu All Stars captain Fredrick Omollo has opened up on how a difficult spell on the sidelines has reshaped his outlook on football, adding that coaching has helped him stay grounded as he works his way back from injury.

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Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the experienced central defender admitted that the transition has not been easy, but choosing to remain active away from the pitch has been key to maintaining both his fitness and mental sharpness.

Omollo, who last turned out for National Super League (NSL) side Kisumu All Stars during the 2024/2025 campaign, saw his stint cut short under unclear circumstances at a time when the club was pushing for promotion to the FKF Premier League.

In a bid to rebuild, he later linked up with former side Kisumu Hotstars to regain fitness ahead of a new season, only for injury to strike and rule him out for close to a year.

Rather than retreat into inactivity, the former skipper chose a different path, one that has since reignited a long-held passion.

His recovery period marked the beginning of a fresh chapter in coaching, landing a role as head coach of Kisumu County League side Miwani FC in Muhoroni.

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“I just wanted to be engaged somewhere because sitting at home was going to be troublesome, so I decided that when it is time to rest, I take the rest and try to learn and internalise what we were taught in coaching classes,” he told Mozzart Sport.

Omollo believes stepping into coaching has given him a head start for life after football, even as he insists his playing career is far from over.

“I felt good just to start early so that when I go into retirement, I already have something to do,” he added.

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Despite the setback, the former Palos FC defender was quick to dismiss any talk of retirement, maintaining that he is already back in training and targeting a return to competitive football.

“I did not retire; I just took a rest. During that time, I was training with Kisumu Hotstars. I got injured, but now I have recovered, and I have started training again.”

His interest in coaching, he explains, is not a recent development but something that dates back to his school days at Ambira High School, where he was occasionally tasked with handling younger teams.

“I have had that coaching interest from a young age. While at Ambira High School, my teacher used to give me younger age groups to coach, and that is where it all started,” he said.

Omollo has since formalised his journey, undertaking CAF D, CAF C, and CAF B coaching courses under the guidance of his former Kisumu All Stars coach, Charles Bruno Warinda, whom he credits for playing a significant role in shaping his understanding of the game.

“Last season, when I was with Bruno, he used to help me in various ways. He would give me sessions to train the team, and that gave me even more motivation to pursue coaching. It showed he trusted me.”

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That experience is already bearing fruit. At Miwani FC, Omollo has overseen an impressive start, guiding the team to four wins and one draw in his first five matches in charge.

Even so, his ambitions remain firmly split between the dugout and the pitch. Having come close to guiding Shabana to the top tier in the 2021/2022 season, he is now targeting a personal milestone: a chance to finally play in the FKF Premier League.

“At the moment, I am still an active player, and I must go back to the field, work hard, and aim to play in the Premier League because that is the only level I have not played in.”

He also believes his growing experience in coaching is already influencing his approach as a player, offering him a deeper understanding of the demands placed on both roles.

“As a coach, you deal with different characters, just like at the top level. As players, sometimes we feel things are not going our way, but the coaching courses have helped me understand how to handle such situations better,” he concluded.