By James Waindi
Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Mathare United have signed international midfielder Titus Mulama ahead of their Africa Club Champions League debut next weekend.
United, who won the local league for the first time last season, open their continental title campaign on January 31 against Zambia champions Zedco United in Lusaka and assistant coach Salim Ali is optimistic of a positive outing.
Mulama, who until last season played for Sweden second division club Vasteras SK becomes the sixth player to be signed by the local champions who plan to make an impact in their first appearance in the continental showcase.
The others are Andrew Oyombe who was released by Gor Mahia, national under-20 custodian Evans Adache who joins from relegated Mathare Youth and Sony’s John Onami. KCB striker Paul Ambembo and Fred Onyango are the other signings.
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Contract ends
"It feels great to be back with Mathare United. This is where I started my career a decade ago and I feel at home after my contract ended with Vasteras SK, I’m in good form and looking forward to steer the team to greater heights," Mulama said.
Only three players have left the champions, they include their top scorer Francis Ouma who parted ways with the league champions to join Tanzania league debutants Azam United, Joshua Okeyo who has moved to KCB and Raymond Odhiambo who has been released.
Top scorer
Ali said the team was in great form and noted that they would not miss the services of last season’s top scorer Ouma.
"Ouma was a quality player but we have equally quality players in the team. Crispin Oduor and Austin Makacha finished last season with nine goals apiece yet Oduor never started many matches and Makacha is a midfielder. "We still have many goal scoring machines in the team," said Ali after training at Goan Institute yesterday.
Ouma notched 15 goals last season to scoop the golden boot award.
He also found the back of the net four times at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda recently.
