Tusker, Leopards eye seven players from Busia Div 2 league team

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Tusker, Leopards eye seven players from Busia Div 2 league team
Tusker, Leopards eye seven players from Busia Div 2 league team

Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya Premier League clubs Tusker FC and AFC Leopards are targeting seven players from Football Kenya Federation Division Two League side, Opet FC from Busia County

Western Regional League runner-way leaders Obucuun Border are also likely to lose two players to Leopards and Nairobi City Stars— the first time that scouts have been attracted to the county since the era of J. J. Masiga, Noah Wanyama and Wilberforce Mulamba in the 1980s.

Masiga, Wanyama and Mulamba hail from Busia.

Sources hinted that striker Ivan Onyango could be headed to AFC Leopards with Raymond Otieno set to join Nairobi City Stars which is under the tutelage of Nicholas Muyoti.

The seven were identified by scouts from the three clubs whose officials camped in Busia during the Global Appeal Football tournament that drew teams from across the county.

Opet FC patron Fidelis Opeto confirmed that scouts from two clubs featuring in top tier league had approached seven of his players with a view to signing them in the coming league season.

The patron said Tusker are keen on signing four of his first eleven players. They include stopper Osman Abdalla, strikers Kevin Oruko Papai, centre forward Samuel Etyang and stopper Osman Abdalla.

AFC Leopards are also chasing the signatures of holding midfielder and captain Brian Asimeri, goalkeeper Ishaaque Okuka and striker Adam Omedo.

“We are currently leading in Division Two League in our zone. Should the tide go against us, we will have no alternative but to release them and re-organise ourselves by filling the gap,” Opeto said, noting that their main target is to nurture talents and encourage more players to seek greener pastures locally or internationally.

Revealing why he opted to sacrifice his resources to form Opet FC, Opeto said many youths who had sporting talent in his locality approached him to help nurture them to enable them to pursue their football careers at their top echelon.

“I had no option but to form the club which has now taken the region by storm. This was also attributed to the fact that I love football and the boys have passion for the game,” he said.

Opet, who were per-tournament favourites, lost 1-0 to eventual winners Jobless FC from the sprawling Marachi estate in an entertaining semi-final encounter at Busia County Stadium.

He attributed the team’s loss to fatigue which saw them play five matches in three days including their Division Two encounter away to Lumakanda which they won 2-0 to consolidate their lead at the top of the log.

However, the patron said all is not lost in their bid to secure a straight ticket to Division One by intensifying training under head coach Joseph Otieno.

Tusker coach Robert Matano said the four players will undergo trials at the end of the season with back-to-back KPL winners and chasing for the third straight title as they are currently on top of the log. Matano was Hakati Sportif, AFC Leopards and Harambee Stars’ player before he ventured into coaching.

“I was born a winner and cultivated the culture of a winner through hard work and passion. I grew up at Nakuru Youth Olympic Centre and later played for Abeingo FC. This saw me groom many players who turned the fortunes of the country,” he said, urging the youths to embrace the culture of discipline and commitment to excel in sporting careers of their choice.

Global Appeal Sports chairman Yusuf Noah said by Involving three clubs from three top-tier leagues was a success on their side.

AFC Leopards officials who came to scout for new talent in Busia which is the gateway to East and Central Africa included team manager Albert Wesonga and Chief Executive Officer Victor Bwibo.

FKF Busia branch chairman Hillary Musundi thanked Global Appeal Sports and Omanyo for honouring Busia with the tournament, noting that it will go a long way in nurturing talent that abounds in the county.

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