Onyango moves to Zambia
Zambian Premier League is increasingly becoming the preferred destination for Kenyan players seeking greener pastures with Gor Mahia forward Samuel Onyango the latest to join a club from the copper-rich country.
Onyango joined Kabwe Warriors, nicknamed the rail-men or Magnificent, which is the second most successful club in Zambia, only behind Mufulira Wanderers.
Kabwe Warriors was home to former Kariobangi Sharks and AFC Leopards forward Harrison Mwendwa before his contract was terminated in July this year and joined Singida Big Stars in Tanzania. He has since left the Tanzania side.
Harambee Stars striker Jesse Were was the first Kenyan player to tet waters in the Zambian top flight league when je joined Zesco United where he was the club’s leading strikers for two seasons.
Were, who has previously featured for Mathare United and Tusker, currently plays for another Zambian outfit Kansanshi Dynamos whom he joined in 2021 after the expiry of his contract with Zeso United.
Another Kenyan connection in international goalkeeper Ian Otieno plays for Zesco and was previously in the books of another top notch Zambian side Red Arrows.
According to reports privy to Zambian football, the country’s league pays well and it’s predicted that it will soon rival Tanzania, the best in the East and Central Africa region, and which is home to Kenyan international defender Joash “Berlin Wall” Onyango who plies his trade with Dar-es-Salaam giants Simba SC.
Back to Samuel Onyango, the predatory former Ulinzi Stars and Sony Sugar striker has been with Gor since 2018 from Ulinzi Stars after he resigned from the military. He has been a key player for the club ever since.
His departure is certainly a blow for will not be in a position to replace him. The club is currently serving a FIFA-imposed transfer ban and will only be able to recruit players from January 2023.
Onyango, 29, started most of the matches last season, netting six goals for the 19-time champions, who finished third behind champions Tusker and Kakamega Homeboyz.
He said he had to severe ties with Gor after being told by the technical bench officials that he was not part of the team’s plans for the belated season.
“The coach said I’m not in his plans and that is why I have not been in training. Since the transfer window is already closed, I will be back to playing football hopefully in January,” said Onyango.
Meanwhile, Gor Secretary General Sam Ocholla has assured fans that the FIFA transfer ban will be lifted very soon. Ocholla specified the suspension will be lifted in January.
“I want to thank our fans for their continued support and to assure them that the transfer ban will be lifted soon,” Ochola said.
The club has not been in a position to sign players due to a FIFA transfer embargo due to various cases pertaining to failure to settle transfer fee from former players.
Ocholla also revealed that the club preseason training will go beyond borders immediately after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) releases the fixtures.
“We are preparing well for the new season and we are also planning for a camp outside the country immediately after. We don’t want to camp now to face hardships similar to Kenya Police if the FIFA ban is not lifted,” he added.
K’Ogalo commenced their pre-season over two months ago and the continued delay of league kick-off has left them in the dark not knowing whether to break their training camp or to continue training with the hope that the new season will commence at the end of the month as promised by the FKF.
