By Keke Roy

The Sportspesa Premier League teams were very active in the just concluded December-January transfer window with notable additions and release of players to bolster their squads.

All the 16 teams, including the new boys Posta Rangers and Kakamega Homeboys, spent their money and time during the period with the aim of strengthening the squads. However, a number of things stood out that may turn out as surprise packages for the fans and opponents as well.

Ulinzi Drops Bombshell

Last year’s runners up Ulinzi Stars acquired a fresh leg straight from school in Cliff Kasuti who join the military side from St. Antony’s Kitale high school. The Matano-led side also roped in Mark Bikokwa spending a whopping Kshs 230, 000 to acquire the Kenyan Harambee stars trialist. However, the bombshell was dropped in the players who shall be missing from the Nakuru-based playing unit this season. Among the notable and outstanding players dropped from the plateau, include Mohammed “Rio” Hassan. Rio was a key figure in the Ulinzi’s defense line and he can be remembered for his rough tackles and aggressiveness against strikers. The other surprise exclusions include strikers Evans Amuoka and Ezekiel Otuoma who are reported to have left the club. Otuoma had been suffering from a recurring shin injury since joining the side last year and did not enjoy much playing time while there. Former Kenyan International and a long-serving defender James “Munandi” Mulinge is also missing from the team’s list and shall be out of action in the first leg period.

Sofapaka goes against the “Norm”
Dubbed the KPL moneybags because of their spending powers in the transfer window since their inclusion in the league in 2009, the “Batoto Ba Mungu” outfit only spent kshs 185,000. The team also known for importing foreign players will only have one foreigner in their ranks in Gerald Bagoole, who joins from Bright Stars Soccer Academy in Uganda. Previously, the team would go for a blend of local experienced players and skillful foreigners, but that is not the same story this year. Surprisingly, Sofapaka has acquired players from lower tier teams, such as Ronald Ouma (Shaurimoyo Blue Stars FC), Godffrey Atindo (Savannah Cement FC), Peter Ng’ang’a (Kasarani Red Eagles) and Levian Ochieng (Stan High School) among others. Out of the 26 new players, 16 were from the lower leagues including the FKF premier league. Only one player Barnabus Tiema renewed his contract with the side. Edgar “Fighter” Ochieng rejoined the outfit from Mathare United.

Players yet to receive International Transfer Certificates

It is always a requirement for players moving from foreign leagues run by different federations to have clearance from their mother teams through the federations. Among the players who signed for the KPL teams, but will still have to wait for their clearance certificates before donning the team’s colors, include Gor Mahia’s Francis Kahata (from Tirania in Albania), Ushuru’s Aziz Okaka (Gottne Sweden), Mathare United’s Hoevenar Maloba (Friska, Sweden), and City Stars’ Sierra Leonean Mustafa Umaru (Abahani Krira Chaka, Bangladesh). Others include AFC Leopard’s Yakubu Ramadhan (SC Victoria University, Uganda) and Cliffon Miheso from Vaasan Palloseura Oy in Finland.

11 youngsters Fresh from High School and Soccer Academies

The most interesting is that this year the KPL teams acquired youngsters’ fresh from the respective high school. This is a good move since it exposes new talents, as well as, helps in the transition programs. The rookies are drawn from different schools and soccer academies across the country, including Thika United’s Said Tsuma (from Kisumu Day), Patrick Kimani (Passenga) and Baraka Badi (Thika Youth Academy), Gor Mahia acquired Eric “Marcelo” Otieno from Kakamega High School while Ulinzi Stars has Cliff Kisuti from St. Antony’s Kitale. Alfred Mburu joins Sofapaka from the Huruma-based ASEC Huruma together with Levian Ochieng from Stan High School. Former Kakamega High School captain Apollo Otieno joins the sugar-belt side Chemelil Sugar FC while AFC Leopards side also boost of Edwin Mukolwe and Alfred Wekesa both from Kakamega High and another youngster James Kibathi also joining the den from an “anonymous” School.

I hope the new changes will make the league enjoyable and competitive as the fans meet new faces and teams.

E-mail; rkeke2@gmail.com
Twitter: @IAmKekeRoy

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com