How broke KPL clubs managed their January transfers

The Kenya Premier League (KPL) mid-season transfer window shut on January 31, with champions Gor Mahia, among the worst hit clubs by the financial crisis in the league, sealing gaps left by players who could not cope without timely pay.

Such were their fine West African imports Francis Afriyie and Gislain Yikpe, who wrote a less than six months career history at Gor before exiting for greener pastures.

The acquisition of Ugandan forward Juma Balinya is seen as one of the major remedies to the challenge, with the chase for an unprecedented 19th KPL title on.

On the other hand, AFC Leopards, also lost their arguably best signing of the 2019/20 season John Makwatta, who has since joined Zambian giants Zesco United.

But his replacement Elvis Rupia from Wazito, just like Balinya, needed just a match to open his goal account at the den, as Ingwe stopped Ulinzi Stars at home on Sunday 1-0.

Harambee Stars midfielder Wyvonne Isuza and Dennis Shikayi also moved away from the den to moneybags Wazito FC, in another highlight move of the January window.

Sydney Lokale (HIFK Finland, Loan) and Duke Abuya (Nkana FC, Zambia) of Kariobangi Sharks together with Humphrey Mieno (Al Itihad FC, Oman) of Tusker are the other players who moved oversees in search of greener pastures.

Interestingly, while some clubs concentrated on the big names to fix their weaknesses,  the window witnessed the departures and additions of big names while some clubs  like Kariobangi  Sharks and KCB raided secondary schools in search of raw talents.

Citizen Digital was in hand to bring you all the deals and talking points of the transfer window.

Gor Mahia.

In. Juma Balinya (Yanga, Tanzania), Jackson OWUSU (Asante Kotoko FC), Alphonce Omija, (Gor Mahia Youth), Alpha Chris Onyango,  (Gor Mahia Youth), Clinton Okoth,  (Migori Youth Loan), Nicholas Omondi (Kibera Black Stars FC), Michal APUDO (Posta Rangers FC), Edwin LAVATSA (Kakamega Homeboyz FC).

Out. Francis Afriyie, (Township Rollers, Botswana), Yikpe Gislain, (Yanga, Tanzania) Richdonald Bolo (Gor Mahia Youth), Dennis Oalo, (Nairobi Stima, Loan), Raphael Asudi (Posta Rangers FC), Robert Okoth, Curtis Wekesa.

AFC Leopards

In. Elvis RUPIA (Wazito FC), Dan Sunguti (MKU FC, Nakuru), Luis Tera (Posta Rangers FC),  Francis Manoa (Mt. Kenya United FC), Dan Musamali (St. Anthony’s Boy High School), Omar Omari (St. Peters High School)

Out. Soter Kayumba (Rayon Sports, Rwanda), Tresor Ndikumana (Gasogi United FC, Rwanda), Vincent Habamahoro(SC Kiyovu, Rwanda), Dennis Sikhayi (Wazito FC), Paul Were (Egaleo 1931 FC, Greece), Brian Marita (Tusker FC), Whyvonne Isuza (Wazito FC), Ezekiel Odera (Nairobi City Stars FC), John Mark Makwatta (Zesco United FC, Zambia), Baker Lukooya.

Kakamega Homeboyz.

In. Justus Anene (Unattached), Salmon Otieno (Sony Sugar FC), Mohamed Kazungu(Unattached), Robert Arot (Nzoia Sugar FC), Kevin Abwodha (Chemelil Sugar FC), Sheikh Hassan (Unattached)

Out. Festo Omukoto(Western Stima FC), Edwin Lavatsa (Gor Mahia FC), Gabriel Andika (KCB FC),Emmanuel Amwehe(Nzoia Sugar,  Loan)

Kariobangi Sharks.

In. Derrick Onyango (Wazito FC), Peter Lwassa (Sofapaka FC), Lawrence Otieno (Lugusi Sec. School), Michael Oduor (Wazito FC), Boniface Mwangemi(Dagoretti High School)

Out. Duke Abuya (Nkana FC, Zambia), Sydney Lokale (HIFK Finland, Loan), John Oyemba.

Tusker.

In. Chrispinus Onyango, (KCB), Christopher Ochieng (Mathare United),Brian Marita (AFC Leopards), Henry Meja (Green Commandos)

Out. Mario Kakai (Nairobi Stima, Loan),Oscar Masiga (Vihiga Bullets),Humphrey Mieno (Al Itihad FC, Oman), Sydney Ochieng (Western Stima),Brian Odhiambo,Marlon Tanguzi.

Ulinzi Stars FC

Ins. Fredrick Chitayi (Water Works), Alex Masinde(KDF), Francis Milimo(KDF)

Out. Ezekiel Okare (Posta Rangers),  Moses Mwangi.

Wazito FC

In. Dennis Njire (KCB), Kennedy Ochino (KCB), Dennis Sikhayi (AFC Leopards), Piscas Muhando (Unattached), Ronald Ashimoto(Green Commandos), Alvin Ochieng(Kisumu Allstars), Augustine Otu (LPRC Oilers, Liberia), Whyvonne Isuza(AFC Leopards ), Paul Kiongera (Killarney Athletic, Ireland), Antony Njeru (Recalled from Loan, Nzoia Sugar FC), Issifou Bourahana (St. Georges SC, Ethiopia)

Out. Gad Mathews (Kisumu Allstars), John Mutua (Soy United), Mathew Tayo (Zoo FC), Michael Oduor (Kariobangi Sharks), Derrick Onyango (Kariobangi Sharks), Karim Nzigiyimana,Mansoor Safi, Abouba Sibomana, Dan Odhiambo.

Western Stima FC

In. Kevin Omundi (Sony Sugar), Stephen Onyango(Sony Sugar), Sydney Ochieng (Tusker ), Maurice Ojwang (Gor Mahia ), Festo Omukoto (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Out. Vincent Omumbo (Kisumu Allstars), Henry Juma(Vihiga United), Erastus Mwaniki(St. Joseph’s Youth), Hassan Kikoyo (Gasogi United FC, Rwanda)

Zoo FC

In. Wilson Anekeya (Mathare United), Evans Juma (Zoo Youth), Jareb Obwoge(Posta Rangers), Dennis Obonyo (Chemelil Sugar), Godfrey Oluoch (Silbwet FC), Mathew Odongo(Wazito FC), Ian Kiptoo(Chemamul Boys High School)

Out. Norman Werunga(Vihiga United), Sammy Sindani(Vihiga United), Japheth Amakanji(APS Bomet FC), Kevin Odiwuor, Dennis Kawanga, Martin Elungat.

Sofapaka FC

In. Shawn Oloo(Green Commandos), Wisdom Naya (St. Anthony’s Boys, Kitale), Nicholas Sebwato(Bright Stars FC, Uganda), Collins Wakhungu , Thomas Wainaina(Nzoia Sugar FC), Jedinak Nana (Channis Academy, Ghana), Brian Kayanja(Bright Stars FC, Uganda), Sebastine Ikekhai, Promise Chinonso (Lagos Athletico FC, Nigeria), David Simiyu(Chemelil Sugar FC)

Out. Peter Lwassa (Kariobangi Sharks), Philip Muchuma (Nzoia Sugar FC), Allan Katwe (Police FC, Uganda), Ibrahim Kitawi (Kenya Police FC)

Posta Rangers FC

In. Collins Okumu , Humphrey Okoti, Mohammed Yusuf (Sony Sugar FC), Ezekiel Okare (Ulinzi Stars FC), (KCB), Kevin Ouma (Kibera Black Stars), Simon Omondi (Unattached), Benson Mutinda (Liberty Sports Academy, Recalled from Loan), Raphael Asudi (Gor Mahia FC),

Out. Michael Apudo (Gor Mahia FC),  Cain Okeyo (Ushuru FC), Samuel Mwanje(Kira United FC, Uganda), Jared Obwoge (Zoo FC), Ezekiel Nyati(Kgabosetso FC, Botswana)

Nzoia Sugar FC

In. Masoud Juma (Mwatate United FC), John Wafula(Kibabii High School), Emmanuel Esinyen (Bungoma Superstars FC), Philip Muchuma(Sofapaka FC), Martin Werunga (Sony Sugar FC) Jeremiah Wanjala (Ushuru FC), Emmanuel Amwehe (Kakamega Homeboyz FC, Loan)

Out. Robert Arrot (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Collins Wakhungu(Sofapaka FC), Thomas Wainaina(Sofapaka FC), Fabisch Otieno(Kibera Black Stars FC), David Wamalwa(Vihiga United FC), Paul Kibande (Dove FC, Uganda), Brian Wepo (KCB FC), Samuel Ndung’u (Chemelil Sugar FC)

Mathare United

In. Dani Lual(Atlabara FC, South Sudan), Swaleh Chacha ( Loan, Bandari FC),  Khalid Jumaan (KCB FC), Norman Ogolla (Green Commandos FC)

Out. Wilson Anekeya, Samwel Semo, Chris Ochieng,  Reagan Ronald.

Kisumu Allstars FC

In. Vincent Omumbo (Western Stima FC), Francis Alumba (Unattached), Gad Mathews (Wazito FC), Crispin Otieno (Chemelil Sugar FC), Telvin MAINA (FC Talanta)

Out. Alvin Ochieng (Wazito FC), Calvince Wekesa (Ushuru FC)

KCB FC

In. Harun Thomas (Sony Sugar FC), Victor Omune (Nairobi Stima FC), Antonio Abwao (Migori Youth FC), Gabriel Andika (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Daniel Odiwuor (Bidco United FC), Brian Wepo (Nzoia Sugar FC), Erick Otieno (FC Talanta), Brian Olang’o (Kamukunji High School)

Out. Dennis Ng’ang’a (Wazito FC), Kennedy Owino (Wazito FC), Clinton Kisiavuki (Posta Rangers FC), Chrispinus Onyango(Tusker FC), Collins Wendo (Ushuru FC)

Bandari FC

In.  Johana Mwita(Sony Sugar FC)

Out. Swaleh Chacha (Mathare United FC,Loan), Alex Luganji(Nairobi Stima, Loan), Patrick Mugendi(Nairobi Stima, Loan), Hassan Idi (Coast Stima, Loan), Kelvin Onsongo (Shabana FC,Loan)

Chemelil Sugar FC

In. Musa Ekai (Mt. Kenya United FC), Ian Eshikoko(Waterbuck FC, Nakuru), Samuel Ndung’u (Nzoia Sugar FC), Maxwel Onyango (Kisumu Allstars FC), Collins Obanda ,David Aringo , Felix Ochieng, Calvince Odoyo , Ronny Omolo, David Oluoch(Muhoroni FC), Wycliffe Otieno (Raiply FC)

Out. Kevin Abwodha (Kakamega Homeboyz FC), Dennis Obonyo (Zoo FC), Crispin Otieno (Kisumu Allstars FC), David Simiyu (Sofapaka FC)