AFC Leopards spend most in latest KPL transfer window
With the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) transfer window having been officially closed on Monday night, giants AFC Leopards rank among the teams which used a substantial amount of money to lure new players in the den.
According to newly-elected Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda, the team roped in 15 players who cost them Sh10 million but clarified that only Sh 4.5 million was paid with the promise that the balance of Sh 5.5 million shall be paid courtesy of well-wishers.
In a nutshell, the Sh 4.5 million figure was raised by team officials since the club has no sponsor after their initial facilitator SportPesa withdrew due the impasse with the government over tax remittance.
“We raised the transfer money among ourselves and doled it out to the players as per their respective contractual deals, but there is still money we owe them I m glad they understood die financial po sition of the team and signed for the team I urge Kenyans of goodwill and corporate entities to help us raise the balance,” said Shikanda.
Ingwe has brought on board both foreign and locally-based new players in an effort to beef up their squad in the 2019/2020 KPL.
Among die foreign players are Burundian Tresor Ndikumana, who was sourced from Amagaju FC, Vincent Abamahoro from Kiyovu Sports of Rwanda Ismail Diarra formerly of Omani side Al Orouba and Ugandan Benjamin Ochan from Kabwe Warriors of Zambia.
The most notable acquisitions locally are international Paul Were who had his contract renewed and Collins Shivachi from Tusker.
Besides Leopards, another team which has spent a 'fortune' to replenish their squad in the top-tierleague is Wazito.
The team which is owned by Badoer Investments Limited has dangled the carrot with a total of Sh 7.9 million being used to acquire die signatures of a record 20 players.
Among the 18 teams in die KPL, it is Wazito who have, arguably, made marquee signings among them former Gor Mahia and Uganda’s Vipers defence stalwart Karim Nizigiyimana, Harambee Stars striker Pistone Mutamba and Elvis Rupia whose contract with Zambia’s Power Dynamos has expired.
Also in the grove among the club which has spent in the purchase of players are Sofapaka who have splashed Sh 5.8 million in bringing on board 11 players, according to die team President Elly Mboni Kalekwa.
The most notable players who have joined Batoto Ba Mungu’s family include Gor Mahia reject Cercidy Okeyo, Ismail Watenga from Ethiopia’s Coffee FC and Timonah Wanyonyi from Mount Kenya United.
Kenya’s CAF Confederation Cuemissaries Bandari have not been left behind in the player signings 'craze' for having forked out Sh 1.6 million for die signatures of among others Sosthenes Idah from Kakamega Homeboyz and Danson Namasaka from Zoo Kericho.
However, the figure is lower than the Sh4 million Kakamega Homeboyz have parted with to add fire-power in their squad.
Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula said he had no qualms to dig deep in his pockets to sign 11 players among them talismanic strike Steve Etyang’ from Nzoia Sugar.
