Gilbert Selebwa, the newly appointed head coach of Luanda Villa, is optimistic about leading the National Super League (NSL) side to promotion to the top-flight football league next season. Selebwa, who previously coached AFC Leopards, assumes the role at the Vihiga County-based team following the departure of Tom Tera.
Luanda Villa finds itself in the second-tier league for the first time after earning promotion last season. With his experience and determination, Selebwa aims to guide the team to success and elevate them to the elite level of Kenyan football.
“I have accepted the challenge and the expectations are that the team Luanda Villa wants to be promoted to the Premier League next season and nothing short.
“I am aware that my contract that I have signed is on the basis of ensuring I take Villa to the Premier League next season and I am fully committed to it and very much ready to hit the ground running.
We must make sure that we change the way of doing things at Luanda Villa, twist things here and there to see to it that we land in the Premier League come the season 2025-2026,” the confident Selebwa said.
The seasoned coach promised to beef up the squad at the end of the current campaign as they seek to mount the NSL title challenge next season.
The club said Selebwa’s appointment was in line with the new Club Licensing rules that demand NSL coaches to have at least a CAF B license qualification.
“There are things that have been changed by the new rules of the Club Licensing which means that all the Clubs in the top tier league must have attained the Class A license while those who will coach at the National Super League level are required to have not less than Class B license as the minimum qualification.
“That is why the officials of this club have asked for my services while Tom Tera will be deputizing me as he embarks on the Class B licensing training,” he added.
“I have been Tera’s manager at AFC Leopards and I can say he is a wonderful person who will help me to attain the club’s dream of going to the Premier League.”
Villa are currently placed 11th in the 20-team league on 43 points with six matches left to play.
“For now I think they have intentionally roped me in early so that I may be able to assess my players, get to know them and also determine which players we will be using for next season.
“I will give each of the 30 players the chance to show their talent before we make that decision of keeping or releasing in order to bolster the squad before the new season takes off.”
