Premiership clubs splash Sh12m in transfer window

Ayub Timbe (left) and Paul Were train at Nyayo Stadium on June 10, 2015 ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Congo-Brazzaville. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • Were joins Gor as Leopards strengthen squad with eight signings
  • Clubs spent about Sh7 million in transfers.

A flurry of last minute big name signings and exits, plus high flying rumours on social media characterised the closure of the month-long Kenyan Premier League midseason transfer window at midnight on Tuesday.

Clubs spent about Sh7 million in transfers. And in scenes reminiscent of the English Premier League’s transfer deadline day, this frenzy eventually caught up with thousands of local football fanatics on Facebook and Twitter, all keen to find out which players their favourite clubs were keen to acquire moments to the end of the purchasing period.

LONG-SERVING PLAYER

Concurrently, a number of coaches, team managers and club administrators camped at the Kenya Premier League Limited Secretariat till well past midnight, while involved in a last gasp dash to push tens of deals over the line.

“We made a couple of signings to add experience to the squad after struggling in the first leg. I expect the new players to immediately add something because they fit in our style of play,” Chemelil coach Mike Mururi said. The sugar belt side added seven players to their ranks including Titus Wamalwa from AFC Leopards, Joshua Oyoo (KCB), Jairus Adira, who makes a return after six months at Sony Sugar, and Mohammed Mwachiponi, who crosses over from Bandari.

The biggest deal that never was involved the return of Dennis Oliech. The league’s defending champions and runaway leaders Gor Mahia were meant to be the next destination for the speedy forward who boasts a chequered decade long career in Europe but is currently based in the Middle East, according to a myriad of online suggestions.

This talk, however turned out to be some fertile imagination of some creative mind from a local blog.

Gor Mahia did however lure exciting left footed winger Paul Were on a short term deal. The Kenya international returns home after a season in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) and is expected to compete for the slot on the left side of the team’s attack with Uganda national Godfrey Walusimbi.

“We have more games coming up compared to our competitors. The plan over this window was to strengthen our attack and go all out to try and win each of the competitions we will be featuring in,” Gor Mahia’s assistant coach Frank Ouna commented.

Another high profile player - AFC Leopards striker Jacob Keli - completed his move to Zambia top flight club Nkana FC (formerly Nkana Red Devils), at about 9:30pm.

“I certainly contributed my part to the team including scoring loads of goals during my 18-month stint and eventually forfeiting an equivalent of four months in salary arrears owed to me by the club,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

Keli was followed out of the cash strapped Leopards by a host of players including midfielder Mussa Mudde, who moved to Bandari, plus Noah Wafula, Abdalla Juma and Emmanuel Ngama who opted for Tusker.

Leopards responded in style by acquiring eight players within a span of four hours. They include Patrick 'Petit ' Kagogo formerly of Sofapaka, Israel Emuge, Solomon Nasio and John 'Pablo' Njuguna (all formerly at Gor Mahia), Erick Masika who was resigned from Ushuru, plus little known Eluid Emase Ekoro, formerly from FKF Premier League side West Kenya Sugar.

LOST MANY STARS

“Our coach was keen to work with players he knows well having worked with them before. Following this acquisitions, we now have a good squad that should earn us at least a fourth place finish in the Kenyan Premier League. We are also all out to reclaim the GOTV Shield title,” Leopards team manager Francis Xavier added.

Sofapaka were also busy in player sales and recruitment as expected, with the club using a majority of the Sh14 million realised through the sale of Abul Razak Fiston to South Africa, in acquiring Ugandan top marksman Herman Wasswa and 13 other players, including Joseph Owino from Tanzania’s Simba SC, and two Rwandan refugees Fwadi Ndayisenga and Aphrodis Hatengekimana.

“We need to strengthen because we lost several first team stars. I will start working with the players tomorrow (today) and then we can see how they will help us through the season,” Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe said.

About Sh12 million was spent by Kenyan clubs during the window in purchasing the 127 players and paying the sign-on fees between the 16 clubs. The teams will be hoping the signings help them towards either winning the league title or avoiding relegation during the course of the season.