Robin Toskin

AFC LEOPARDS

The 13-time Kenyan champions led the way in breaking the bank to acquire new signings, having spent a whooping Sh1,785,000 in player signing and contract extension.

However, pundits argue it is a reconstruction of a team that has been rocked by leadership wrangles in recent weeks. Signed a sponsorship deal with Sugar milling giant Mumias Sugar believed to be in the region of Sh65 million for the next three years.

The biggest capture is striker Brian Masiolo from Western Stima and Liberian Abraham Cokie, midfielder Evans Wandera from Sofapaka and also the return of Congolese import Laurent Tumba, who will team up with fellow Congolese legion of Demonde Selenga and Itubu Imbem.

Verdict: could finish somewhere in the middle of the table

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Barnabas TIEMA,

Defenders:Edwin SIMIYU, Douglas OKUMU,Joab AMBOKO, Edgar WACHINYA,Martin IMBALAMBALA, Gideon OGUDE, Milton MILIMO

Midfielders: Ezekiel SEDA,Evans WANDERA, Laurent TUMBA, Laban TSIMONJERA,Abraham COKIE, Joseph OKUMU,Nicholus MUYOTI, Shamara JOHN, Shaban AMBUDUL, Patrick MATASI, Silas ALUVISIA, Edwin WAFULA. Strikers: Brian MASIOLO, Selenga MANGILI,Bernard WANYAMA,Paul ODHIAMBO,Itubu IMBEM,Hugo NZANGU, Augstine ETEMESI, Emmanuel TOSAO.

CHEMELIL SUGAR

If there is anything the millers want to avoid this year is the relegation scrap. Chemelil needed a huge heave-ho to beat the drop, but not without the miracle worker, coach Nick Yakhama. Yakhama engineered one of the greatest escapes and eventually finished a comfortable ninth when all seemed impossible with five matches to go. Other than renewing the contracts of several of their players including the top scorer Tonney Opondo and age-defying Michael Mururi, Yakhama has acquired midfielder Michael Onyango from Wangapala Secondary school, Smith Ouko (Chemelil Youth), goalkeeper John Wawu who is returning after a 6-month stint at Mahakama and striker Jack Omondi from Sony Sugar.

Verdict: Mid table finish

FULL SQUAD

Goalkepeers: Fredrick ONYANGO, Daniel MURAGE,John WAWU,

Defenders:Samwel TWAGO, Frank OMONDI, James AGEMBE, Charles OKUMU, Willis OUMA, Wellington MURWAYI, Jacob MWANGI, Ooko SMITH Midfielders: Michael MURURI, Brian MALIK, Victor NYAMOLO, Idd SHIKANDA, Victor OMONDI, Denis OBENGA, George ODERO, Aggrey ONDULO, David OMENGO, Micheal OTIENO

Strikers: Milton KIDIGA, David ORIKI, Tony OCHIENG, 18 James MUSASA, Jack OMONDI, Oscar OKETCH.

KARUTURI SPORTS

The flower men have re-united with the man who made them a combative mid-table team, never in danger of relegation or seriously challenging for honours — James Nandwa. After losing top scorer Allan Otindo to Ulinzi Stars, Nandwa will have the hard task of replacing the youngster and defender Tom Onyango who also followed his heart to Ulinzi Stars. Karuturi have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of Yusuf Abdul from Sony Sugar, Kevin Omondi (HomeGrown), Benjamin Oketch (Sony), Andrew Aroka (Western Stima), Franklyn Osama (AFC Leopards), Keiphas Barasa (Roto FC), Geoffrey Eshikumo (Kivangala Sec Sch), Nicholas Kavaja (Bedjos), David Seda (Tusker), Eric Ochieng (Mahakama).

Verdict: Mid-table remains realistic placing.

TEAM

Goalkeeper: Noah AYUKO, 12 Micheal WANYIKA, Maxwel MALABA

Defenders: Evans MAJANI, Collins KOMU,Amon GITHAIGA, 9 Andrew MBWABI, Titus SHIKUKU, David OWINO, Geofrey MSIEVA, Benjamin OKETCH, Andrew AROKA, Franklyn OSAMA, David SEDA Midfielders: Geoffrey NJUGUNA, Hanan IBRAHIM, Benlee JUMA, Wray ODHIAMBO, David MWANGI, Peter JUMA, Yusuf ABDUL, Kevin OMONDI Strikers: Jacob OMONDI, James MACHARIA, Micheal NYONGESA, Alfred CHOLE, Keiphas BARASA, Geofrey ESHIKUMO, Nicholas KAVAJA, Eric OCHIENG

MATHARE UNITED

The financial muscle to prosecute a successful league campaign is crucial and Mathare United seem to have secured that front with Sh10 million sponsorship deal with security firm G4S.Mathare United also pulled another Sh5 million sponsorship deal with Real Insurance for a three year period. Despite the financial windfall, Mathare United’s signings are not eye-catching, with experienced players such as Joseph Nyaga and goalkeeper Duncan Ochieng having left for Rangers and Tusker respectively. Veteran Jaffar Gichuki also left for Rangers FC. It will be coach Salim Ali’s first full season in charge after the departure of Francis Kimanzi.

Verdict: Title chase could be a long shot for the Slum Boys. Another mid-table finish appears realistic

TEAM

Goakeepers: Martin MUSALIA, Malcom BARNABA, Joseph RUTTO. Defenders: Kevin ODONGO, Kennedy OPIYO, Antony KIMANI. Defenders: Lloyd WAHOME, Kelvin OMONDI, Haevenar MALOBA, Athman BUKI, George RABWAGI, Victor AMBOKO, John ODHIAMBO. Midfielders: Simon MULAMA, Dennis NZOMO, Kevin KIMANI, Simon MBURU, Innocent MUTISO, Jacob KELI, Tirus OMONDI, Paul OCHIENG, Chris MALOBA

Strikers: Vincent OKELLO, Andrew TOLOLWA, Elvis NANDWA, Edwin ODUOR, Jesse JACKSON, Kevin AFFUANE.

NAIROBI CITY STARS

After huge promise following the takeover by a Christian organisation (Ambassadors In Sport), the team once known as World Hope has not felt the rosy part of the deal. City Stars finished sixth in 2008 with 43 points, but slumped to eleventh in 2010 with a paltry 34 points. With the departure of inspirational captain Levy Muaka to Tusker and midfield dynamo Denis Okoth to Gor Mahia, coach Ken Odhiambo has a battle in his hands to shore up the team.

Verdict: Could slip to the bottom four

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Fredrick MAJANI,Peter ODHIAMBO, Kevin OTIENO Defenders: Arthur MUSEVE, Donald MOSOTI, Simon OGUTU, Peter ASHANGU, Daniel MUTURI, Celestine MWENE, Calvin OKOTH, Celestine MWENE. Midfielders: Oscar MBUGUA, Francis THAIRU, Muigai KIBATHI, Nelson OKELLO, Micheal OWITI, George CHEGE, Geofrey SHIKANDA

Victor ASHINGA, John MAKWATA, Lawrence NYAMBOKI, Collins OCHIENG, David KING’ATUA, David GATERI, Kelvin NYONGESA Strikers: Jimmy BAGEYA, George ODARY, Fred OKELLO, Kevin OWUOR

SONY SUGAR

The 2006 KPL champions have failed to replicate the form that saw them emerge kings. Coach Francis Baraza has been given a vote of confidence after initially being replaced by John Bobby Ogolla. Sony lost versatile Congolese defender Dodo Kayombo to Sofapaka. With ageing stars such as Steve Biko, Sylvester Wanyama, Chaberi Marwa, Denis Onkangi, youngstersJoshua Oyoo, Cylus Shitote, Justine Monda will have to step up to the plate.

Verdict: Could challenge the top four, but a mid-table finish is realistic.

Goalkeepers: Collins OTIENO, Antony WANABA, Gady OMONDI, Defenders: David OTIENO, Daniel ODHIAMBO, Joses KIZITO, Ignatius SHIKONE, Cylus SHITOTE, Duncan OCHIENG Joseph ATUTA, Collins OMONDI Midfielders: Sylvester WANYAMA,Fredrick ONYANGO, Justine MONDA, Victor OTIENO, Victor MAJID,Vincent OGUTU

Robert OUMA, Macharia WANGUI, Mustafa OGUTU, Hedmond MAUDA

Strikers:Steve BIKO, Mike SIMIYU, Enoch OBIERO, Joshua OYOO,Dennis ONKANGI, Marwa CHAMBERI,Isiah OMONDI, Dennis OMWOMO, Jared ONYANGO

THIKA UNITED

Finished third in 2009, but collapsed in 2010 and dug deep to finish 10th. Coach Juma Abdallah will hope to put behind the blues of yesteryear and start on a sound footing. They lost their best left-back in years, Abdulatif Omar who joined Sofapaka. Gone also is midfielder Abdallah Juma. Thika United have signed Liberians, striker Freeman Mulbah formerly with Jasmine Rangers, Mighty Barrolle and Dirkir Glay (Watanga FC) and Ugandans Emmanuel Olupot (CRO Mbale) and Tommy Okello (KCC FC).

Verdict: Another mid table finish.

TEAM

Goalkeepers: Lucas INDECHE,David OKELLO, Joel BATARO,Defenders: Boaz OKUL, Vincent NYABERI, Jefferson AGATHA, Alfred ODHIAMBO, Fredrick MULAKO, Yusuf JUMA, Emmanuel OLUPOT, Dirkir GLAY, Stephen ODUOR, Midfielders, Andrew KULECHO, Joseph KURIA,Francis NJUGUNA, Kenneth WENDO, Kepha ASWANI, Michael ALUBISI, Simon MBUGUA, Nawab ISSA, Clifton MIHESO, Jackson IRUNGU, Francis KAHATA, Strikers: Patrick KENNEDY, Haji MWACHOKI, Oscar LIVONDO,Moses ARITA,Freeman MULBAH, David BOGERE,Tommy OKELLO.

WESTERN STIMA

The Kakamega-based outfit finished a comfortable eighth last season. Their coach Henry Omino battled goiter throughout last season, but underwent a successful operation to remove the bump on his throat at the end of the campaign. After losing top scorer Brian Masiolo to AFC Leopards, Omino must find a hit man fast enough to continue with their King maker status. Preparation would be key to their campaign.

Verdict: Mid-table finish again.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Benroberts EKASSIBA, Patrick AGWANDA,Bernard OMONDI,David JUMA

Defenders: Robert KWAYE,Kennedy OBIERO,Issac ODHIAMBO,Hudson MUHAKO,Daniel OMONDI, Wesley KEMBOI

Victor ODUOR. Midfielders: Ali AHMED,Daniel ONYANGO, Daniel MAKACHI,Kevin OLOUCH,Peter OKOYO, Esbon OGADA, George WESA, Ali BAI

Fredrick SHIMONYO, Allyoys MANGI, Jackson SALEH,Dennis MASHETI. Strikers: Francis CHINJILI, Andrew ANAGWE, Kevin SERENGE, Mark SIRENGO, Fredrick NYAROMBO, Mike KHADULI.