Blue Eagles Coach Eliya Kananji has blamed his bosses at Area 30 for contributing to the team’s relegation from the TNM Super League.
Eagles were relegated on Sunday after losing 1-2 at home to Mafco, who escaped relegation alongside Moyale Barracks, Mighty Tigers, Ekwendeni Hammers and Civil Service United.
Kananji faulted the team’s leadership for failing to pay game bonuses to the players on time, a development, he claimed, killed team spirit among the players He also accused his bosses of failure to take advice following a crisis meeting that was aimed at addressing the problem of the team’s poor form.
“It is no secret at all. The bosses gambled a lot. They did not help the technical panel. Former chairperson Alexander Ngwala and his colleagues left a very good team, who finished second from Bullets last season.
“We signed new players but there was zero motivation. This is painful; football is not just about talking,” Kananji said.
However, Eagles Chairperson Alex Simenti said they would comment on issues regarding their relegation later.
“We held a meeting today [Monday] and have decided not to comment at this moment. Our focus now is on the Castel Challenge Cup,” Simenti said.
On his part, Ngwala said Eagles’ relegation from the elite league was shocking.
“I have received the news with shock and disbelief considering that the team remained steady in the league for decades.
“It is a worrisome story to all followers of Blue Eagles as well as all police officers and their families. The team remained an exciting social gathering for the organisation and a tool for community mobilisation at community policing events.
The team’s exit is a painful drawback,” Ngwala said.
Eagles finished on position 14 with 35 points from 30 matches.
Despite tying on points, goals scored (32 each), conceded (32 each) and goal difference (0 each) with Moyale, who narrowly escaped relegation, Eagles have gone down on head[1]to-head basis after they drew 0-0 at home with the Lions of Kaning’ina but lost 0-1 away.
