Western Stima no longer boast of high-power voltage

AnalysisJoseph Saasia

 

Player exodus is being witnessed at Kenyan Premier League side Western Stima as the tough financial climate makes life unbearable at the club.

With their long-term shirt partners  and parent company Kenyan Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) pulling the plug on the deal last year, life has never been unbearable at the outfit, with players now scrambling for the exit door ahead of the 2020/11 season.

A source at Stima has told Citizen Digital that so far a number of reliable players have ditched the outfit for rival clubs in the KPL.

Top on the list is defender Salim Hamisi who has joined Premier League side Posta Rangers while teenage sensation Omala is on his way to Gor Mahia.

KCB have also added more pain to the club with the Bankers head coach Zedekiah’ Zico’ Otieno luring  Henry Onyango as a replacement of Stephen Waruru.

KCB head coach Zedekiah Otieno is said to have been impressed by the striker and hopes he will fill the void.

Kakamega Homeboyz are also primed to reap from Stima woes, with midfielder Abdalla Wankuru a top target, leaving Stima without the high-power voltage ahead of the new season.

Although Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula claimed they will not sign any new player after losing Peter Thiong’o to AFC Leopards, Wankuru is primed to take up Thiong’s position.

Kakamega Homeboyz maintained a close title challenge against Gor Mahia in the 2019/20 season before it was cancelled in March and Coach Nicholas Muyoti would want a stronger side to mount a similar or better campaign in the next season.

Another Western Stima star Vitalis Akumu is also reportedly on his way to Kakamega Homeboyz.

Former Stima striker Ronald Okoth has revealed his pain after seeing the massive player exit from the club.

Through his Facebook page, Okoth wrote: “Extremely sad to see my former club Western Stima struggle to hold on to its players after the unceremonious exit of their long time shirt sponsor KPLC.

“It’s my hope and dream to one day own a football club in the Kenya Premier League and also invest in such indomitable clubs with rich history like Western Stima.

“Hats off to all the club chairmen and club presidents as running a football club in our local setting is no mean feat.”

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Western Stima Chairman Laban Jobita says club is still strong and wished well those who have left for greener pastures.

“Western Stima is very strong, I sincerely wish all the best to all those who have left for greener pastures but when the pastures turn yellow we shall still open doors for them.

“We are doing everything to get the new sponsors onboard and so far we have done so many proposals. We are hoping to get something soon but we are prepared to start the new season in full gear,” Jobita concluded.

Elsewhere, former Gor Mahia midfielder Tobias Otieno has emerged as a prime target for Sofapaka.

Otieno had agreed to join Union Omaha of the US but the ongoing restrictions brought about by the corona virus scourge are understood to have made travel arrangements extremely difficult.

 

Tags:

KPL Western Stima sponsors Laban Jobita Player exodus Players quit

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