The success of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) is being felt across the region and has started to attract talent from surrounding countries.
Dan Sserunkuma Gor Mahia’s striker. Photo: Courtesy
So far Uganda provides the bulk of foreign players. More than 20 players from the neighbouring country are part of KPL.
Coaches have also not been left behind. Most recently, the assistant coach of the Uganda Cranes, Sam Timbe, signed a deal to handle Sofapaka in a move that proves the popularity of the KPL in Uganda.
Timbe joined Sofapaka just two months after Bobby Williamson, the former head coach of Uganda Cranes, signed a lucrative deal to handle Gor Mahia, one of the biggest clubs in Kenya.
Timbe is the second Ugandan coach to sit on the hot seat at Sofapaka who won the KPL in 2009. Before Timbe, there was Sam Ssimbwa who left the club two years ago after failing to win any trophies at the club.
There are many reasons for the rush into the KPL but chief among them is the fact that players from Uganda are not required to have work permits due to the East African Community rules.
A player from outside the region would, for example, be required to have a work permit which costs Sh200,000 to acquire and this puts off many clubs from signing players.
Many Ugandans have been successful in KPL, which encourages their fellow countrymen to join them. For example, Gor Mahia striker Dan Sserunkuma was voted the best player in the league last year while his compatriot Ivan Anguyo earned the best defender award.
According to Michael Nam who handles division one side Talanta, the presence of Ugandan players in the KPL has helped to raise football standards.
“They work hard and push our local players to fight hard,” said Nam who previously handled KPL side Karuturi Sports.
We look at some of the players from Uganda who have found a new home in the KPL.
By GILBERT WANDERA, The Standard
