Ever since SportPesa left, the league has found it hard trying to lure new sponsors to the league. This has brought about a financial crisis that has already seen Sony Sugar FC relegated from the league after they failed to honour three consecutive matches.
But the movements haven’t been brought by the crisis alone; there have been times where performance has been the issue. With that in mind, let’s see what’s doing rounds of late:
Gor Mahia Lose Midfielder To Union Omaha
The sad news for KPL sides isn’t going away anytime soon unless the clubs and the league find new sponsors. Gor is just one of the teams that have been hard-hit by the financial crisis and they have lost another player.
Now, Gor Mahia had initially only lost one player Yikpe to Yanga FC in Tanzania due to the crisis. They are now losing talented midfielder Tobias Otieno who is joining Union Omaha in the USA.
Tobias Otieno has this season managed to establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the KPL despite his tender years. Otieno was signed at the beginning of the season from Sony Sugar FC and has gone on to be one of Gor’s star performers.
His energy and drive in the centre of the park has kept Kogalo moving even in their tough games and that will surely be missed. The youngster is yet to fully establish himself in the senior national side despite some call ups. He, however, is one of the mainstays in the Under 23 side that has been performing admirably.
The 21-year old leaves Gor Mahia with a gaping hole in their side that they should fill before the end of the transfer window.
Duke Abuya Joins Nkana FC
Another player going out of the KPL in search of greener pastures is Duke Abuya who joins Nkana in the Zambian League. The Zambian side Nkana FC had tried to lure Gor Mahia captain Kenneth Muguna a couple of days back but failed. They then decided to poach the former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder.
Duke Abuya had been an instrumental part of the Sharks side that gained promotion to the KPL two seasons ago. But he recently saw it fit to run down his contract with Sharks and join Nkana on a free transfer.
Here’s a short statement from Kariobangi Sharks coach Muluya,
The attacking midfielder leaves with Kariobangi Sharks in 12th position in the Kenyan Premier League. Sharks have only accumulated 13 points from the 17 games they have played so far and it looks like a relegation battle is on their hands.
Gor Mahia Sign Ugandan Forward
It isn’t all gloom at Gor Mahia FC as the team has again managed to bring in another forward. Gor recently acquired the services of Clinton Okoth from Migori Youth in their search to replace Yikpe who joined Yanga a few weeks back.
Ugandan forward Juma Balinya joins Gor Mahia FC on a two-year deal from Tanzanian side Yanga SC. Balinya was reported to have left Yanga after a payment dispute happened back in December 2019. That prompted the Tanzanian side to bring in Yikpe from Gor Mahia, who is currently cash-strapped.
The Ugandan forward was last season’s top scorer in the Ugandan Premier League after scoring 17 goals . That prompted Yanga to bring him on board from Uganda police back in June of 2019.
Gor Mahia FC can only hope that he brings that kind of form to the club as they battle for the Kenyan Premier League. Gor Mahia (35 points) currently sits third on the table behind Tusker FC and Kakamega Homeboyz. Tusker has so far accumulated 37 points and Homeboyz have 36 points.
The two teams, though, have played two more games that Gor Mahia FC.
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title: “Kenyan Premier League News Round Up” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-26” author: “Rick Williams”
The axe has also started falling on head coaches as well with as many as three going in the last week. Even giants like AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia haven’t been spared. Gor Mahia has seen players such as star striker Yikpe leave due to the financial struggles of the club.
It looks like the financial crisis that was looming over the Kenyan Premier League after sponsors SportPesa vacated the league has come into full effect.
Here’s a round-up on what is going on in the league currently.
Gor Mahia captain linked with a move to Nkana FC
Gor Mahia FC Captain Kenneth Muguna has been linked with a move to Nkana FC in the Zambian League. This comes in the back of an impressive season where the midfielder has scored 6 goals for Gor Mahia in the league in the 2019/20 season.
Now, Gor Mahia FC just is one of the teams that have struggled due to the financial crisis that hit the league after official sponsors SportPesa vacated the league. The team has already lost star striker Yikpe Gislein Gnamein to Yanga SC in Tanzania and it looks like more will depart if the financial crisis isn’t addressed.
There have also been times where the captain and star defender Joash Onyango refused to play due to wages owed by the club. But unlike fellow sides who are struggling financially, Gor Mahia has not failed to honor a game. They have also somehow managed to keep most of their start players even when strikes have been reported.
Here’s what Gor Mahia CEO Lordvick Aduda had to say to members of the press about any potential move,
It looks like Gor Mahia is quite adamant about holding on to their star midfielder.
3 More Players Leave AFC Leopards
Gor Mahia isn’t the only team that has struggled due to the financial constraints of the league after SportPesa left the league before the 2019/20 season kicked off. AFC Leopards is another team that has been struggling to hang on to players due to the financial crisis.
Just a few weeks back a looming mass exodus was reported and it looks like it has started. The team has lost three more players recently; with no sight of the end for the exodus, AFC needs to find ways of generating income.
On their official Facebook page, AFC Leopards confirmed the departures of Brian Marita, Moses Oburu and Dennis Sikhayi who has since joined Wazito FC in the Kenyan Premier League for greener pastures.
It certainly looks like it will be a long second half of the season for AFC Leopards who have also lost their coach this January due to unpaid dues. AFC Leopards currently sit 7th on the Kenyan Premier League table with only 28 points from 17 games so far.
The team has far struggled from not only the financial issues but also form as well. And with players and staff jumping ship almost every single day, it looks like no good days are on the horizon for Ingwe.
Gor Mahia Snap Up Clinton Okoth
It’s all not suffering from Gor Mahia FC due to the financial crisis the club has been facing. The team is still able to lure the country’s top talents due to their rich history.
The latest player who has since joined Gor Mahia FC and looking to be a top hit in the KPL is Clinton Okoth. The young striker has joined from Migori Youth FC in the second tier of Kenyan football or as it is famously known as the NSL (National Super League.)
Okoth who has been a revelation in Kenyan football has scored 14 goals in the NSL to propel his team to 5th on the table leaves Migori on a year-long loan move. The news comes as no surprise as Gor has been trailing the young forward for some time now.
He’s expected to replace Yikpe Gislein who left for Tanzanian side Yanga FC. Okoth will hope that his move to Gor Mahia FC is a success and that they extend his stay longer. Gor has the allure of being Kenyan top side and it looks like, despite their struggles, they will continue snapping up the best players around. With the likes of KCB and Mathare offering the striker financial security, he still opted for Gor Mahia in the end.
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