Otieno delight at joining Sharks

Kariobangi sharks new signing John Otieno is looking forward to a new and beautiful adventure at his new club.

Otieno joined Sharks from National Super League side Nakuru Allstars on a four-year deal on Monday and is already looking forward to great season with the FKF Shield winners.

In an interview with the club website, Otieno cited the influence of the team captain Eric Juma as having played a factor in him joining the team.

“I love the playing style that Sharks have stuck to over the years; one that allows players to express themselves, it really attracts me. I have also been really following up on team captain Eric Juma, always keeping tabs on his performance and chatting with him online.

“We had never met before but he always motivated me whenever we were talking online. I am happy I am finally working with him,” said Otieno.

The defender who made 18 appearances in the National Super League, where he scored three goals becomes the third signing for the shield winners having already signed Nickson  Omondi and Tom Teka, who joined from Police and Nzoia Sugar F.C respectively.

Sharks who finished sixth in the just concluded Kenyan Premier League  are busy beefing up the squad ahead of their maiden appearance at the Caf Confederation Cup next season having beaten Sofapaka in the Shield final.

Meanwhile Bandari team manager Wilson Obungu says they in the processes of replacing goalkeeper Joseph Okoth who left the club to join newly promoted KCB.

Obungu added that they will also be strengthening their defence and attack ahead before the start of the new season.

“We are negotiating with a number of players who I can’t disclose to you, because they still have contracts with their respective clubs.

On our side all is set and we are just waiting for them to clear with the clubs and hopefully by Friday we will have completed the deals,” Said Obungu.

At the same time Sofapaka have confirmed the release of eight players that include midfielder  Bernard Mangoli who joined KCB , goalkeeper  Wycliffe  Kasaya,  Timothy Luda ,Ruben Juma ,Rodgers Aloro, Mathias Kigonya  who requested to be released ,and Kevin Kimani whose contract expired .

Elsewhere Mathare United head coach  Francis Kimanzi says he doesn’t feel the heat in the transfer market .The ‘Slum Boys’ have not released any player and have signed little known left winger Elvis Shamala and Thika United FC’s attacking midfielder James Kinyanjui.

“We are very lucky not to have lost any top player and added two more for the positions that we felt needed to be strengthen, hopefully we will remain competitive next season and fight for titles,”Kimanzi told Citizen Digital.