Moi Stadium to host KPL double-header as K’Ogalo opens their account against Tusker.
Kisumu All Stars have bolstered their squad with thirteen new players ahead of their 2019-20 Kenya Premier League (KPL) debut against Ulinzi Stars on Saturday.
The Kisumu based club earned a place in this year’s premier league after finishing second in the 2018 National Super League with 80 points, three behind champions Wazito FC.
While unveiling the new players yesterday, team manager Alfred Adu exhibited confidence in the new guns saying they bring balance and wealth in the team’s both attack and defense.
“We brought in a crop of young talented players and seven experienced players both from the super league and premier league clubs that we have confidence in to improve the team ahead of our top-flight league debut,” Adu told the Standard Sports.
“We signed four defenders, five strikers, three midfielders and a goalkeeper who have so far impressed during our pre-season matches against Vihiga United, Nairobi City Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz.”
The team’s new signings include forwards Wesley Kemboi (Western Stima), Steve Otieno (Sony Sugar), Walter Omondi (Bondo United), Michael Owino (Bidco) and Mark Kwasira (Modern Coast).
Midfielders signed are John Owira (Malindi SC Zanzibar), Maxwel Onyango (Sony Sugar), Martin Oduor (Western Stima) and defenders including Jacob Ombija (Chemelil), Charles Warinda (Mt Kenya), Arthur Ochung (Kisumu Hot Stars) and Jeckonia Ogendo (Sony Sugar).
The KPL newbies also roped in former Western Stima tactician Henry Omino in the capacity of head coach and he will be deputized by Andrew Aroka and former head coach Francis Oduor.
Omino, who also coached his assistant Oduor during his hay days in Kisumu Posta, has already steered the team to a successful pre-season and aims for a good start to the league.
“The team has been training very well for the past two months and I’m impressed with the progress of the new signings who are coping well with the rest of the team.”
“Our target is to start the league on a high note on Saturday and as hosts we are looking forward to starting life in the premier league with a win,” Omino said.
However, he urged the boys to be careful for they will be coming up against a very experienced side in Ulinzi Stars.
“Ulinzi Stars has been in the premier league for the past years and they have that experience and talent of winning games. We are having a home advantage but the team has to be very solid and careful for they can hurt any team with the likes of Enosh Ochieng in their squad,” he added.
Kisumu will open the 2019-20 premier league season with an early kick-off match against Ulinzi at Moi Stadium before defending champions Gor Mahia entertain Tusker at the same ground at 4pm.
-UTILITY-
NEW SIGNINGS
Goalkeeper- Anthony Obonyo
Strikers- Wesley Kemboi, Steve Otieno, Walter Omondi, Michael Owino and Mark Kwasira
Midfielders- John Owira, Maxwel Onyango and Martin Oduor
Defenders- Jacob Ombija, Charles Warinda, Arthur Ochung and Jeckonia Ogendo
KPL FIXTURE
Kisumu All Stars vs Ulinzi Stars -2 pm
Gor Mahia vs Tusker -4.15pm
ALL MATCHES AT MOI STADIUM
