2011 Kenyan Premier League: Title Contenders

ROBIN TOSKIN puts his head on the chopping board and runs the rule on KPL clubs' prospects.

ULINZI STARS

The 4-time Kenyan champions remain one of the favourites to clinch the title. Coach Benjamin Nyangweso has not added many players to their squad although several of their players who were serving in a UN Peace Mission in Sudan have returned. Goalkeeper Francis Onyiso and Collins Ochieng have been registered afresh. Also joining is Joseph Kibera. New signings Collins Kisuya (Tusker), Tom Onyango and Allan Otindo (Karuturi) were yet to finalise their paper work. With the World military Games coming up later in the year, it remains to be seen how the disciplined men will juggle the two ambitions.

Verdict: They are title favourites

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Francis OCHIENG, James SARUNI, Francis ONYISO

Defenders: Geoffrey KOKOYO, Hussein MOHAMMED, Kevin OUMA, Josiah ODHIAMBO, James MULINGE,Richard CHEGE, George OYOO, Collins KISUYA

Midfielders: 5 Eric APUL, George OTIENO, Ismail MOHAMMED, Chester OKOYO, Kevin SIMIYU, Stephen OCHOLA, Joseph KIBERA: Strikers: Evans AMUOKA, Lawrence OWINO, Collins OCHIENG, Anthony NDERITU, Allan MUHATI, Brian KAKA, Steven WARURU,Jackson MUNGAI, Mike BARAZA

GOR MAHIA

The 12-time champions came so close to equalling Leopards’ record. They will hope to build on the success of last year despite the sale of top striker George "Blackberry" Odhiambo to Randers FC of Denmark and Cameroonian Baldwin Ngwa who moved to Tunisia.

Gor Mahia captured one of the hottest prospects in Kenyan football in Ezekiel Odera from KCB. Other new signings are; Dennis Okoth from Nairobi City Stars and Moses Odhiambo from APR of Rwanda.

Kevin Omondi, Musa Mohamed, Robert Onyango and Ibrahim Kitawi all penned new deals. Anything less than the KPL gong would be an underachievement after setting the bar as high as the second place last term.

Verdict: Top four finish

TEAM

Goalkeepers

Jerim ONYANGO,Ronny KAGUNZI,Gradus OCHIENG Defenders: Julius OWINO, Ivan ANGUYO,Francis AKANG’O, Christopher WEKESA, Eric MASIKA, Musa MOHAMMED, Collins OMONDI,Fred OTIENO Midfielders: Francis OCHOLLA, Solomon NASIO,Tonny ONYANGO,Dennis OKOTH,Antony AKUMU,Ibrahim KITAWI,Elisha OCHIENO, Wycliff OPONDO, Collins OKOTH,Roy OKAL Strikers: John KIPLANGAT,Kevin OMONDI,Duncan OWITI, Dan MAKORI, Ezekiel ODERA,Edwin LAVATSA,Tusubira BOBAN,Moses ODHIAMBO

TUSKER

The 2007 Champions showed a lot of promise, but collapsed midway through last season. Finished third despite belief by many they had the best squad. The eight-time Kenyan champions fired coach James Nandwa despite guiding them to third and replaced him with former Mahakama coach Sammy Omollo. They have since acquired: Levy Mwaka from Nairobi City Stars, goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng (Mathare United), Isaac Otieno (Mahakama), Robert Syongo (KCB), Charles Odette (Mahakama). If the squad will not be adequate, they have the financial muscle to buy in midseason transfer window.

Verdict: They are a top-four prospect.

Team

Goalkeepers: Bonface OLUOCH, Samuel ODHIAMBO, Duncan OCHIENG Defenders: Robert SYONGO, Charles ODETTE, Christopher LITSWA, Jockins ATUDO, 13 Humphrey OKOTI, Noah ABICH, Joseph SHIKOKOTI, Issac OTIENO. Midfielder: Joseph NJUGUNA, Fredrick OJWANG, Ali ABONDO, Maurice ODIPO, Kennedy ODUOR, Antony KHADUDU, Japhary OYANDO, Chrispine OLANDO, Athman BORI, Moses ODHIAMBO, Levi MWAKA

Strikers: Oscar KADENGE, Dennis MUKAISI, Emeka JOSEPH, Paul WERE,Alex IKANGA, George MIDENYO

SOFAPAKA

Failed to defend title and finished fourth. The 2009 champions have given every indication they want to reclaim the title they lost to Ulinzi Stars last year. And to do that they have acquired: Dodo Kayombo (Congo DR) from Sony Sugar, Heritier Luvualu (Congo DR), Ndaney Cyrille from AS Promo FC Cameroon, Francis Ouma Striker GD Tourizense (Portugal), James Orundu (AFC Leopards), Titus Mulama (KCB), Abdul Latif (Thika United), Ellie Asieche (Bidco). Squad looks good.

Verdict: Title favourites

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Wilson ODUOR, George OPIYO, Zachariah ONYANGO, Pascal MFOPAT Defenders: Edgar OCHIENG, Idrisa RAJAB, Thomas WANYAMA, George OWINO, Kilonzo TUMBA, Dodo KAYOMBO, James SITUMA, John NJOROGE Midfielders: Humphrey MIENO, Patrick KAGOGO, Anthony KIMANI, Musa MUDDE, Osborne MONDAY, James ORUNDU, Elli ASIECH, Omogo COLLINS Strikers: John WAMALWA, John ONAMI, Ndaney CYRILLE, Francis OUMA, Titus MULAMA, Abdul LATIF, Bob MUGALIA, Heritier LUVUALU.