Mwalala admits challenges in retaining star players at KCB

Harambee Stars goalkeeper Byrne Omondi

FKFPL Mwalala admits challenges in retaining star players at KCB

Mark Kinyanjui 15:33 - 17.01.2024

Omondi had been proving indispensable not just for KCB, but also for Harambee Stars in 2023, while Francis Kahiro and Apollo Otieno were also important for the side.

KCB are preparing for life without Harambee Stars custodian Byrne Omondi, as well as key midfielder Apollo Otieno and striker Francis ‘Roro’  Kahiro following the expiry of their contracts, head coach Bernard Mwalala has confirmed.

The Bankers  are in a sort of transition after seven players left the club this January, which has negatively affected their title challenge, but have made replacements in the transfer window in efforts to correct this.

"In an exclusive interview, Mwalala admitted that, despite their efforts to keep the players at the club by offering contracts, the offers were reportedly turned down.

“These players were very important for me but it is like they have received big offers from other clubs,” Mwalala told Pulse Sports.

“Maybe we could not match those kind of offers and in football, it is about what you can manage to offer a player to convince him to stay.

“We are going to take in only those players who are interested in working with us, so for now, we are prepared to continue life without Apollo (Otieno), Kahiro (Francis) and Byrne (Omondi).”

Pulse Sports however understands that, although Omondi left the club, Apollo and Kahiro could yet remain as they are renegotiating new contracts, but Mwalala has insisted that it is highly likely that they will never kick a ball for KCB again.

“There is a 90 percent chance they will not play for us again,” Mwalala added.

Otieno joined the Bankers after leaving Tusker at the end of 2022, and the former Western Stima man have proven integral to the club with his ability to not only win the ball back, but to also progress it forward.

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Keeper Omondi has proven to become indispensable not just for KCB, but also Harambee Stars, having established himself as the country’s first choice goalkeeper in 2023 until he suffered an unfortunate knee injury.

He has been previously been linked with a return to his former club Tusker, as well as reigning league champions Gor Mahia.

Kahiro established himself as the club’s first choice striker under Bernard Mwalala, and he has scored six league goals so far this season.