NSL: Coach Saleh parts ways with Luanda Villa, Chinjili takes over

Coach Leonard Saleh has parted ways with National Super League (NSL) side Luanda Villa FC after a one-year stint at the Mumboha-based club.

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Saleh confirmed that he decided to leave after his contract expired on 5 January, citing the club’s failure to address long-standing operational and financial issues.

“I chose to leave Luanda Villa at the expiry of my contract after the management failed to honor our agreement,” Saleh said. “The club owes me five months in salary arrears, and I could not wait for a sixth month to begin without any assurance of payment.”

Saleh joined Luanda Villa midway through last season after former AFC Leopards tactician Gilbert Selebwa stepped down due to financial constraints and CAF B license requirements, having taken over from Tom Tera.

The coach used his departure to call on Kenyan clubs to uphold professionalism and adhere to licensing regulations.

“For Kenyan football to grow to international standards, FKF Premier League and National Super League clubs need to respect club licensing rules; the opaque manner in which some clubs are run risks destroying talent development,” he offered.

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He added that clubs should honor contracts and declare their financial capacity at the start of the season to avoid mid-season crises.

On the pitch, Saleh guided Luanda Villa to six wins and three draws this season. He leaves the club placed 13th on the NSL table with 21 points, with four matches remaining before the end of the first leg.

“If the club resolves the issues quickly, I would be open to returning,” Saleh said. “But for now, I am in the market and hopeful of landing a better opportunity.”

Luanda Villa has moved swiftly to appoint former Kenya international Francis Chinjili as his replacement, pending the official unveiling of a new technical bench.

The club confirmed that it had reached an agreement with the former Mahakama FC forward, who will steer the team until the end of the season.

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