KPL transfers: Batoto Ba Mungu unveil squad ready for second leg eager to hit top

Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa hands over a jersey to Timothy Luda during the unveiling of new signings at Eastleigh High School yesterday. [Jonah Onyango]

Journeyman Hillary Echesa is among 13 players former champions Sofapaka have unveiled to prosecute the second leg of the Kenyan Premier League.

In what amounts to a statement of intent, the 2009 league winners also brought in the 2015 Ugandan Premier League top scorer Umar Kasumba ahead of the resumption of action this weekend following the international break.

Echesa rejoins Batoto Ba Mungu from Chemelil.

“It is good to return home. I left Sofapaka in 2013 for Chemelil after my contract ended. I believe my current form, which has seen pump goals at Chemelil, has given me another opportunity at Sofapaka,”said Echesa who ended the first leg with two goals for Chemelil.

Echesa has pledged to continue scoring with his first mission in Kinoru this Sunday as they tackle league leaders Gor Mahia.

Goal poacher Kasumba, who is in Kenya for the first time, said he is elated to join KPL as he starts his professional football journey away from his native country Uganda.

“I have been following KPL on SuperSport back in my country, I thought it was worth trying because we hear stories from Ugandan players who ply their trade here that they are better paid and that the league is well organised, so it was hard to resist the offer when Sofapaka came looking for me,” Kasumba said.

Club President Elly Kalekwa praised the technical bench for the recruitment, which he said is formidable and capable of realising good results.

“The players we recruited will help us fill the void we had in the first leg. The heavy recruitment is part of Sofapaka’s mission which is to return the kind gesture extended by our sponsors Betika.There is no better way of thanking Betika than by winning the league or finishing at a respectable position,” Kalekwa said.

Betika General Manager Lucy Muchira said they, as sponsors, were looking forward for an impressive performance by the new squad.