Foreign-based Opiyo returns to join second tier side Nairobi City Stars
Dynamic former AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia and Tusker midfielder Peter “Pinchez” Opiyo has been snapped up by Betika Super League heavyweights Nairobi City Stars in their bid to finish the second leg of the season on a high and earn promotion to top flight football.
The former Kenyan Premier League side who are currently the leaders of the second tier are showing intent of returning to the Premiership after five years out and the signing of the midfield marshal who started his career at Thika United is a sign of how serious they are.
Opiyo who boasts of seven caps with Harambee Stars has also had stints in Finland, Qatar and Turkmenistan and his vast experience will excite the Kawangware lads.
He joins other veteran players in the team like Jimmy Bageya, Noah Abich, Anthony Kimani, Abdallah Shitu and David Gateri.
“City Stars are taking no chances and that is why Opiyo was always going to be a key signing.
The idea is to get experienced guys to help us push for promotion,” said an source in the club. Aziz Kemba and Keegan Ndemi formerly of Tusker and Bandari respectively have also joined the club.
The transfer market has also been busy elsewhere with two days to resumption of the league’s second leg. Clubs are busy sprucing up and amongst the most active are other former Premiership sides Shabana and Ushuru.
The taxmen who are currently sixth on the log have raided immediate former Premiership side Mt Kenya United picking three of their top players including forwards John ‘Softy’ Ndirangu, Edwin Wanjala and midfielder Harun Nyakha.
Financially struggling Mt Kenya who are currently placed ninth on the log have also lost veteran goalkeeper Zamu Adisa to Bidco United with midfielder Kevin Ndiwa joining league surprise package Migori Youth.
Shabana have released seven players with forward Omari Mwandaru joining Coast Stima. However, ‘Tore Bobe’ as they are referred to, have signed three players to help them improve their current 11th position on the table.
The Kisii-based side has completed the signing of left back Andrew Wafula from Posta Rangers, forward Moses Osule from Kangemi Allstars and Cameroonian import Eric Emmanuel who is an offensive midfielder.
Shabana coach Vincent Nyaberi believes the new acquisitions will help their cause going forward confirming that the transfer business was not over for them yet.
Meanwhile, ambitious Bidco United have also gone into the market and snapped the attacking duo from Vihiga Bullets; Edwin Walimuli and Jackson Oketch. Head Coach Anthony Akhulia believes his scoring problems are now solved.
Coast Stima has snapped Brandon Obiero from Sony Sugar and left back Herit Mongai from Kibera Black Stars while Migori Youth have lost winger Anthony Abwao to Premiership side KCB.
