KPL transfer window bursts with activity
It is the second day of the December-January transfer window and the air is already thick with reports and speculations, confirming local pundits’ prediction that this could be a very active period.
Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have led from the front by signing former AFC Leopards defender Jackson Saleh on the first day of the month long window, perhaps as a safety replacement to David “Calabar” Owino, who is said to be close to hammering out a deal that will see him join Allan Wanga at Sudan’s club El Mereikh.
Saleh agreed to a three year deal at K’Ogalo and has said he is ready to take on the challenge in his new club.
“I have enjoyed my time at the den. In my three years there I have gained valuable experience and the necessary exposure. But now I am looking forward to helping my new club with upcoming continental assignments and I hope that we will have a good 2015 season,” he told Nation Sport after putting pen to paper on Monday.
SSERUNKUMA LEAVES
Although Gor Mahia officials are yet to issue an official statement, the 14-time champions have lost the services of their mercurial striker Dan Sserunkuma who has crossed shores to Tanzania to join Simba SC on an attractive two year deal.
Looking at their upcoming continental assignments, K’Ogalo will have to bring in a worthy replacement for the Ugandan striker who scored the most goals in the league this season and was undoubtedly the team’s spine.
Sources close to the club indicate that names of Sofapaka’s striking duo of Enock Agwanda and AbdulRazak Fiston have come up as suggestions for Sserunkuma’s replacement.
Batoto ba Mungu chairman Elly “Prezda” Kalekwa is however categorical that the Burundian national, who joined the club midway through the season, is not available and that they will strive to hold on to their best players ahead of the CAF competitions.
BEEF UP SQUAD
“We are also going for the continental competitions and we must also have on our side quality players. In this light, we will beef up the squad on the weak areas, but we cannot allow our good players to leave the club at this point. Fiston is particularly not for sale in any Kenyan club because I want him to make a significant move forward when he does, not just rotating around local clubs,” he said.
Meanwhile, AFC Leopards have offloaded seven players from their squad. Theyinclude defender Erick Masika, veteran Charles Okwemba and goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.
The club has also released their midseason acquisition Kenneth Wendo who has found it impossible to break a starting role at the club.