NAIROBI, Kenya, January 27 – Four days before the December/January transfer window closes, Ulinzi Stars is the first Kenyan premier league team to submit its final list of players.
However, the most notable absentee from the list is veteran defender James Mulinge Ndetto as well as Sylus Shitote who have been omitted from the squad.
The team has included four new signings, including three scouted from the annual Chief of Defense Forces Cup last year with Ezekiel Otuoma, signed from Muhoroni Youth and Elvis Nandwa who joined the side from Mathare United are the only non-military players drafted in the squad are.
Club Officer in Charge Captain Joe Birgen said Mulinge has been omitted as he is away on military career progression training while Shitote alongside Ali Subira Mawazo are nursing long term injuries but will be available for selection in June.
“This is a good squad and we believe in its abilities and they will do good duty for the club this season. We consulted widely and it was not an easy task narrowing down to 30 when we had a huge field of very talented players,” Birgen told the club’s official website.
The team is currently in Nanyuki where they have pitched camp in readiness for the premier league season, after the conclusion of another pre-season camp in Mombasa.
The club is set to play several friendly matches during the two week stay in the high altitude camp and they will be back to their base in Nakuru for the final leg of preparations.
Ulinzi Stars under the tutelage of Robert Matano finished the season fourth last year after a disastrous start and the veteran Matano will be looking at winning his fourth premier league title with three different teams within the last six years.
Churchill Muloma, Michael Otieno and Kevin Makuto made the cut from ten players selected from the CDF Cup.
The military side has maintained a huge chunk of players from their squad last season and this will make them stronger as their consistency has not been tinkered with.
Ulinzi’s 2015 squad
Goalkeepers; Francis Ochieng, James Saruni, Finius Odhiambo
Defenders; Fredrick Chitai, Brian Birgen, Antony Muriithi, Omar Mbongi, Oliver Kipruto, Rodgers Omondi, Geoffrey Kokoyo, Stephen Ocholla, Mohamed Hassan, Benson Sande, Martin Ndiwa
Midfielders; Erick Apul, Boniface Onyango, Churchil Muloma, Elvis Nandwa, Salim Mohamed, Collins Ochieng, Justine Onwon’ga, Kevin Amwayi, Michael Otieno, John Nairuka
Strikers; Evans Amwoka, Omar Nassor, Job Muhati, John Mark Makwata, Kevin Makuto, Ezekiel Otuoma.
