KPL set to resume after frenetic transfer window

KPL set to resume after frenetic transfer window

Tens of new faces will strive to make their impact felt in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) after what has been a lively transfer window for local clubs.

All KPL clubs bar Ulinzi Stars, Zoo Kericho, Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United added at least 10 new players to their squads to match an equally big number of those they sold or released, according to figures published by Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

While Zoo signed just four and Ulinzi seven, Kakamega Homeboyz recorded the busiest activity as they roped in a whopping 18 and had released 14 by Wednesday’s deadline.

Not even 16-time champions Gor Mahia traded differently, signing 12 and letting go of 11 more despite finishing their title-winning campaign last year 21 points clear of their closest challengers Sofapaka FC.

According to Gor’s Deputy Secretary General Ronald Ngala, lack of proper funding for local clubs prompted the trend.

“I don’t advocate for so many players to move in a given transfer period but teams are have no choice for lack of big kitties to support so many players who may want better deals for contracts extension. If signing new ones and letting some go while improving the quality of the squads can be realized through massive changes then we can’t avoid it.

“We also have to let them to showcase their talent out there with other teams we can only afford to keep the best,” said the long serving K’Ogalo official.

Ngala opines the least active clubs could find it difficult in the competition, albeit giving them a benefit of doubt to challenge strongly.

“In the case of Zoo Kericho judge them at the end of the season, their wish to do very few changes will be judged them at the end of the season,” added Ngala.

However, former veteran coach and former Harambee Stars coach Twahir Muhidin said he finds nothing odd with the massive changes.

“When I was coaching Oserian FC (former KPL side), I released 25 players at ago and built a squad that I went on to win trophies with. The league has really changed and coaches have to decide strategically. In the case of Bandari, I have advised signing of experienced players to blend with the youthful ones, hence the big changes,” the Bandari FC Technical Director.

Leopards West African invasion

Notably, 12-time champions AFC Leopards were the most active in international business, importing five players among them three Ghanaians, a Nigerian and a Ugandan.

The Ghanaians, Isaac Oduro, Prince Papa Arko and Eric Kwabena joined Ingwe from Ghana’s Accra Hearts of Oak, Sekondi Hasaacas and Egypt’s Kafr El Sheikh respectively while Henry Uche (Nigerian) came from Shooting Stars of his country’s topflight.

Ugandan Baker Lukooya, another new face in Robert Matano’s squad, was signed from Uganda’s Saana FC.

Uganda remained the most attractive external market for the KPL clubs, with a total of 28 players involved either joining or exiting the clubs.

On the other hand, Kenyan internationals Musa Mohammed and Kenneth Muguna (Gor) and Masoud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks) were among the 17 players who made moves to foreign countries.

Musa and Muguna moved to Abania’s FK Tirana while Masoud Juma, the 2017 season KPL top scorer, is now at Cape Town City.

The KPL transfer window will open again in June.

Tags:

Gor Mahia FC AFC Leopards KPL Ulinzi Stars Sofapaka FC Zoo Kericho FC

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