Nzoia duo Mwangi, Kibande among new arrivals at Tusker

Premier League side Tusker FC have Friday morning unveiled five new players ahead of the 2023-24 FKF Premier League campaign, at the Ruaraka Grounds.

The brewers are looking to reclaim the Premier League title they narrowly relinquished to rivals Gor Mahia last season, on the final day of the season .

The Robert Matano coached team has roped in former Nzoia Sugar duo Joseph Mwangi and James Kibande and Fabian Adikiny who was at Murang'a SEAL last season.

Also joining the team is Ugandan John Byamukama, while goalkeeper Edwin Simiyu has been promoted from their junior team.

The five are and at least three more set to join the team before the new season are a fresh breath in the squad according to Matano, who released a big chunk of experienced players such as Humphrey Mieno and Jackson Macharia.

Mieno, who captained the side last season, left the club at the end of the season as well as Macharia, upon expiry of their contracts.

"We need another Macharia and another Mieno. We have to give chances to young players. The club has to grow and we need to grow with them, because we cannot be the same all the time. Things change in football, teams are now looking for young players to nurture them into what they want. The players we have signed fit perfectly into what we are out to achieve," said Matano.

The new players are optimistic that their arrival at Ruaraka comes with good tidings, hoping for an immediate impact.

Mwangi, who scored 14 goals for Nzoia in 30 matches of the last campaign,  cannot wait to get started at Ruaraka.

“There was no room for thinking twice when the opportunity to join Tusker FC came. I have been training here for the last one week and I already feel at home. I am ready to start off and give the best I can," said Mwangi, who also had his breakthrough into the Harambee Stars squad last season.

His friend and teammate at Nzoia last season, Kibande, is equally ecstatic.

“This is not only a big opportunity but a new challenge also in my career. I hope to help the team win trophies in the coming season, because the culture here as evidenced in the previous seasons is to win and win,” he offered.

Midfielder Shami Mwinyi, goalkeeper Michael Wanjala, defenders Kalos Kirenge and Kevin Monyi also left the club, as their contracts were not renewed.

Also leaving the club is South Sudanese striker David Majak.

Meanwhile, Charles Momanyi and Ugandan forward Deogratious Ojok have both extended their contracts and will stay at Ruaraka for one more year.

In the same breath, Momanyi has been confirmed the new club captain and will be assisted by Brian Bwire and Michael Kibwage.

With the reinforcement, Tusker FC will kick off the new season on 26th August 2023 against Mombasa-based Bandari FC. They will be hoping to reclaim the FKF Premier League title which they narrowly lost to Gor Mahia last season.