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Former Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso has officially retired from the Kenya Defence Forces to take up a coaching role as a civilian, People Sports can exclusively report.

The 55-year-old Nyangweso confirmed he had indeed quit after an illustrious 32-year career in the army and will now venture into coaching with his sights set on handling a Premier League club.

Nyangweso, who already has an CAF-A licence, endured difficulties in coaching a team outside the army in all divisions of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), owing to the tough rules laid down by the military, hence the move to request for an early retirement that has now been granted.

“I wrote and requested to retire from the army so that I can put more focus on my coaching career,” Nyangweso told People Sports, adding: “I was forced to make the decision because, despite my efforts to attain all levels of coaching licences, I could not be able to take charge of any team outside the army because of their stringent rules.”

Nyangweso added: “I am now ready and prepared to serve as a coach for any team outside the army; I am a free man looking forward to starting my sojourn as a civilian and I am open to work for any team in the FKF Premier League that is willing to hire my services.”

On why he decided to retire, Nyangweso reiterated: “I had no other option remaining, my career is pegged in coaching, I tried to talk to my employers (Kenya Defence Forces) to allow me to coach outside but it was not forthcoming,” adding: “I felt the best way was to quit the army so I can serve as a civilian, and I am now available to return to the dugout again.”

Nyangweso, who played for Kenya’s Harambee Stars’ and Waterworks during his heydays as a striker, last served as the head coach of army side Ulinzi Stars. His first stint at Ulinzi came in 2009 when he helped them to win the Premier League title, but he has been in and out of his head coach role at the club on several occasions.

For the national team, he was capped six times between 1994 and 1996. He was handed his debut game by coach Mohammed Kheri as Kenya took on Somalia on November 26, 1994, in a Council of East and Central Africa (CECAFA) Cup fixture at Nyayo Stadium after coming on as a substitute for Richard Otambo.