Out goes Asieche, in comes ‘Timo’
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League side Sofapaka has completed the signing of international striker Timothy Otieno from Zambia’s Napsa FC and Togo national team custodian Aigba Abdoul-Moubarak.
The two signings join the 2009 league champions on a day the club parted ways with long serving captain Elly Asieche after nine years.
It is believed that Asieche who is suspected to be headed to league rivals Wazito, requested to leave the club and his wishes were granted on mutual agreement.
Asieche seems to have lost his first team place after the arrival of international utility player Lawrence Juma in November.
“We have completed the signing of Timothy Otieno and he has asked for two days off to handle his personal issues before linking up with the team for our weekend match.
He will be available for selection for our match against Zoo FC in Wundanyi on Saturday,” Sofapaka FC president Elly Kalekwa told People Sport.
He added: “Asieche decided to leave us on mutual agreement and we could not stand on his way. He has been a great player for the club for between eight and nine years. He left briefly and returned to scale the heights to become the club captain.”
Aigba had to cut his stay at the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) shot to come and seal his move. His arrival is seen as a move to solve the team’s goalkeeping problems that has seen them concede 13 goals from nine matches, a feat that has seen them occupy an awkward ninth position on the log with 11 points from nine outings.
Otieno’s arrival is also expected to help solve team coach Ken Odhiambo’s headache in front of goal as his side has only scored 12 goals in the competition so far.
Otieno who has had stints with former league champions Gor Mahia, Posta Rangers and Tuesker, was the league’s top scorer last season by the time the campaign was prematurely brought to a halt due to the break of coronavirus.
Due to his arrival, Sofapaka has sent Nigerian goal getter Michael Karamor on loan to Western Stima until the end of the season.
Karamor had scored 11 goals in pre-season, but has failed to find the back of the net since the main league began.
