Posta Rangers end ex Mathare United coach's football exile with appointment to succeed Okumbi

Former Mathare United head coach Salim Ali is back to top flight football after Posta Rangers hired him as Stanley Okumbi’s replacement.

Rangers parted ways with Okumbi last week after being in charge for eleven months leaving his assistant Collins Omondi in charge on interim basis.

According to the club, former Harambee Stars boss relinquished in his services as his eyes are fixed on UEFA B license coaching course abroad.

Shortly after the club announced that Okumbi was set to jet out for the six-month long course, a number of coaches were rumored to be on the forefront to replace him.

Among the tacticians whose profiles were being perused by Rangers honchos are former Tusker assistant coach Charles Okere and former Harambee Starlets head coach David Ouma.

However, Ali who left Mathare in May last year following a series of unwanted results has won the nod to succeed Okumbi whom he worked under as assistant with the national U23 team last year.

He is still our coach, Posta clarify Okumbi's position

The club’s Chief Executive Officer John Wakhu revealed that they settled on Ali to take up the head coach roles pending the return of Okumbi and further stated that he will be considered for a lengthy deal should the latter elect to terminate his contract.

“Salim will serve as the head coach for the time Okumbi will be away for studies. That’s the only change we made in the composition of the technical bench. It is important to clarify that Okumbi remains the head coach unless he decides to terminate his contract,” he said.

Ali previously coached Ulinzi Stars in 2014 and had a brief stint with Sofapaka prior to joining the four-time Kenyan champions.

Rangers were active in the mid-season transfer window as they acquired the duo of Patrick Otieno and Geoffrey Shiveka from Kariobangi Sharks. The club released Josphat Lopaga and Dennis Oalo who rarely enjoyed playing time in the first leg of the season.