Kenya: Sofapaka Parade Ace Nyaga

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Francis Wadegu

29 June 2011

Harambee Stars winger Joseph Nyaga will be in line to play for his new club Sofapaka when they take on AFC Leopards in a Kenya Premier League encounter today.”We finalised the deal yesterday and I look forward to play for Sofapaka who are one of the biggest clubs in the country and hopefully, I can help the team reclaim the league title,” said the Afro haired left winger.

Nyaga is Sofapaka’s first major signing in the mid season transfer window as coach Francis Kimanzi looks to build up on last weeks 4-1 thrashing of Thika United that saw them jump into the top half of the league standings albeit nine points behind Nyaga’s former club Rangers, who top the standings having played a game more than their rivals.

Leopards will also get the chance to showcase their new signings including Ulinzi Stars Mike Barasa, Jimmy Bageya from Nairobi City Stars and Western Stima’s Francis Chinjili.

Leopards signed six players from fellow top flight sides, contrary to rules by KPL which allow clubs to sign only three players. However, KPL officials have clarified that the 12-time national champions acted within the rules in their transfer dealings.”AFC Leopards have stuck to the requirements because three of the six players they signed had already been released by their respective clubs. Oscar Kadenge and Robert Syongo had been released by Tusker while Collins Kisuya was out of contract with his club,” explained Phoebe Amuyunzu, an administrator with KPL.

Second-placed Tusker will also be in action this evening when they face Thika United with the chance to go top of the league.

The brewers also raided league leaders Rangers to get the signatures of under-23 defender Brian Mandela and play-maker Joseph Mbugi. The brewers are two points off the leaders but will take over the summit with victory over Thika at Nyayo Stadium.

Meanwhile, Kawangware-based outfit Nairobi City Stars have moved fast to plug the gap left by the departure of their fiery Ugandan striker Jimmy Bageya by handing long serving local lad Justus Basweti a contract.

City Stars, who are stuck at the bottom of the Kenya Premier League standings have been struggling throughout this season .

However, they hope Basweti, who burst into the limelight when he scored twice to help AFC Leopards beat Mathare United to the 2001 Moi Golden Cup trophy, will provide the leadership and experience that is lacking in Ken Odhiambo’s young squad despite being in the twilight of his career.

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