Peter Opiyo, popularly known as Pinchez, has taken up a coaching apprenticeship with Nairobi City Stars as he waits to recover from an injury. Opiyo sustained the injury just before a trip to Kakamega Homeboyz in mid-February, and with his return to the pitch still uncertain, he has decided to learn from the other side – the technical bench.
According to team coordinator Samson Otieno, the injury presented a rare opportunity for Opiyo to acquire coaching skills. “It was the opportune time for him to go to class for coaching lessons. He has since acquired his CAF ‘D’ Diploma license,” said Otieno. “With that in hand, it was best that he temporarily jumps over to the technical bench to start his coaching apprenticeship under the guidance and instructions of coach Nicholas Muyoti. Once fully recovered, he can return to the field to contest a position before season end.”
Speaking about his new role, Opiyo expressed his excitement at the chance to learn from Muyoti, his former teammate and captain at Thika United. “This is a great opportunity to learn the ropes of coaching,” said Opiyo. “I now sit on the bench on game days, which is a strange place to be considering I am still an active player. But it gives me a whole new view of the game. On training days, I conduct sessions as instructed by Muyoti.”
Muyoti, for his part, encouraged Opiyo to make the most of the opportunity. “This is exactly how my coaching journey started,” said Muyoti. “Opiyo has what it takes to excel in this area. He now has the time, and I urge him to optimize his chance before he can return to the pitch.”
Opiyo has played in 10 games for Nairobi City Stars, scoring once, and has clocked 689 minutes on the pitch.
