Kenya Premier League (KPL) Champions will be in contention to retain their title as the league kicks off this weekend in various fields across the country.
With lively transfer windows ever witnessed in the country, Gor Mahia brought in the camp 12 new players to strengthen the squad as they chase the record 17 titles.
All KPL clubs bar Ulinzi Stars, Zoo Kericho, Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United added at least 10 new players to their squads to match an equally big number of those they sold or released, according to figures published by Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
While Zoo signed just four and Ulinzi seven, Kakamega Homeboyz recorded the busiest activity as they roped in a whopping 18 and had released 14 by Wednesday’s deadline.
However, former veteran coach and former Harambee Stars coach Twahir Muhidin said he finds nothing odd with the massive changes.
12-time champions AFC Leopards were the most active in international business, importing five players among them three Ghanaians, a Nigerian and a Ugandan.
The Ghanaians, Isaac Oduro, Prince Papa Arko and Eric Kwabena joined Ingwe from Ghana’s Accra Hearts of Oak, Sekondi Hasaacas and Egypt’s Kafr El Sheikh respectively while Henry Uche (Nigerian) came from Shooting Stars of his country’s topflight.
Ugandan Baker Lukooya, another new face in Robert Matano’s squad, was signed from Uganda’s Saana FC.
Uganda remained the most attractive external market for the KPL clubs, with a total of 28 players involved either joining or exiting the clubs.
On the other hand, Kenyan internationals Musa Mohammed and Kenneth Muguna (Gor) and Masoud Juma (Kariobangi Sharks) were among the 17 players who made moves to foreign countries.
Musa and Muguna moved to Abania’s FK Tirana while Masoud Juma, the 2017 season KPL top scorer, is now at Cape Town City.