Debutants Kisumu All Stars sign Wesley Kemboi ready for KPL
Charles Thuku and Barry Silah
Newly promoted Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side Kisumu All Stars have lofty ambitions ahead of the country’s 2019/2020 season.
So confident and bullish is the lakeside team that fans have nicknamed it Otenga (Dholuo for Hawk) to swoop over their opponents just like what the bird of prey does to chicks without the knowledge of the hen.
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“We want to pounce over our opponents in a way that is comparable to a hawk’s. Our rise to big-time league was not by sheer luck and I think we will be one of the teams to watch. We want to make our home ground in Kisumu a fortress where few teams will come out unscathed,” said assistant coach Francis Oduor.
Oduor, who was in charge of the team when it earned promotion, currently deputises veteran Henry Omino in the coaching duties. He says they are fancying their chances to prove that they deserve to dine with the big boys in the league and will do this in their opening match against Ulinzi Stars this weekend in Kisumu.
Asked why he thought they have the potential to prevail over a battle-hardened side like Ulinzi, Oduor said: “These guys must be tired after participating in the Military Games and moreover, our players are comparatively younger and have the fortitude to push them around.”
Although these sentiments are seemingly pegged on a light touch, they contain an iota of truth since Kisumu All Stars have signed some of the youngest players in the league and who are increasingly impressing technical bench officials.
All-Stars have signed four players from Sony Sugar including defenders Jeconia Ogendo and Patrick Ochieng, midfielder Maxwell Otieno and striker Steve Otieno all who shown great character to be incorporated in the starting eleven.
“I can say with certainty that these are the kind of players we wanted. Most of them are young and are willing to learn and given that they are no newcomers in the top flight league, I expect them to be quite inspirational for the team,” said Oduor, who has previously handled Wazito FC.
Having previously handled Wazito who have equally been elevated to KPL, Oduor feels he has something up his sleeves to help All Stars Head Coach Henry Omino in forming a squad that will successfully challenge for big honours.
“Omino is my senior and I think I’m learning something from him in the coaching tactics and together, I believe we can take the team places,” offered Oduor.
Team Manager Alfred Adu equally expressed optimism of the team causing ripples and especially with the arrival of experienced and upcoming players.
“We have signed players we were targeting although some came and others failed to come,” said Adu.
“We have roped in some players from Sony Sugar as already mentioned together with midfielder Martin Oduor from Western Stima and Mark Wachira from Modern Coast.
“We are looking forward to a wonderful KPL debut season,” he said.
