Inside Mombasa United’s shock decision: Why leaders axed Selebwa despite promotion push
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 16.04.26. | 11:04
The decision raised eyebrows across the football fraternity, coming at a time when the veteran tactician had guided the coastal side to second place on the log, level on 58 points with leaders Migori Youth, and firmly in the hunt for promotion
The Kenyan football scene was left stunned earlier this week after National Super League (NSL) leaders Mombasa United announced they had parted ways with head coach Gilbert Selebwa.
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The decision raised eyebrows across the football fraternity, coming at a time when the veteran tactician had guided the coastal side to second place on the log, level on 58 points with leaders Migori Youth, and firmly in the hunt for promotion.
While the club’s official communication remained vague, offering no clear explanation for the dismissal, details emerging from behind the scenes paint a picture of internal disagreements that ultimately led to the separation.
According to sources, Mombasa United CEO Nick Arunga, who spoke alongside a member of the Board of Management, admitted that “underlying issues” informed the decision, even as they acknowledged the coach’s strong performance.
“There must be underlying issues to sack a performing coach, but at the end of the day, the team is bigger than anyone,” Arunga told Mozzart Sport.
It is understood that tensions had been building between the coach and management, largely stemming from Selebwa’s push for the settlement of players’ pending salaries, a claim the club has strongly downplayed.
“The players were only awaiting their salaries for the last month, so three months is a big lie. The month just ended recently, and the salary is due, which they will be paid. There are challenges, yes, but we do pay. Those players have been receiving allowances of up to Ksh 6,000. They also need to say the good part, We have only delayed this month,” a board member explained.
Club officials further argued that the decision to part ways was necessary to prevent a breakdown in relations within the squad and to protect the dressing room atmosphere.
“It is not fair for someone to try to dismantle the whole effort. When you place a bad attitude, it puts the team in an awkward situation and does not bring growth but rather drives away our fans. Pushing people at the end of the month over something small, even after allowances of 5,000 or 6,000 have been paid instantly, is not right. All those months they have been paid,” the official added.
Selebwa, who joined the club at the start of the season from the now-defunct HOHA FC after a stint with Luanda Villa, had overseen a remarkable turnaround.
Taking charge of a side that had just survived relegation, he guided them to over a 70 percent win rate across 28 matches before his departure.
Despite the fallout, the club maintained a tone of respect for the departing coach while also hinting at a shift in direction.
“We respect Selebwa; he has gotten us from far, but for now, our ambitions are not aligning. Our ambitions are bigger; we are preparing for the Premier League and CAF competitions,” the club stated.
However, speaking to Sporty FM, Selebwa offered a contrasting account, suggesting that internal interference in his technical bench played a central role in his exit.
“We are in a prime position for promotion, but they wanted their own people. They wanted somebody from their side to be the head coach, and they also wanted to bring me an assistant coach from their side, which I refused,” he said.
“So it felt like it was just a matter of time. They were waiting for the right moment, and after we lost against Kibera, they claimed we had just given away the game, as if Kibera hadn’t come prepared to win.
They came to the pitch and handed me a termination letter. I’m okay with that. I’m leaving the team with my head held high. The team is still in a prime position for promotion, so whoever comes in and messes it up should not blame Selebwa.”
Following his departure, the team is set to be handled by assistant coach Hamadi Said alongside experienced defender-turned-coach Rodgers Aloro when they face Soy United in their next league assignment.
