Kenya clubs spend $32,000 on players

The Kenyan Premier League transfer window shut on Tuesday night amid a flurry of activity as clubs finalised their roster for the 2012 season.

According to Kenya Premier League Limited (KPL), the league administrators, the clubs spent some $32,000 (Sh2,673,500).

The Africa Review has closely followed the frantic, florid and often farcical dealings by the clubs and players in their quest for the best deal.

We bring you the winners and losers, the spendthrifts and penny pinchers, the notable departures and arrivals and the loyalists or otherwise as the KPL human traffic serves up notice for another gripping season.

Highest fee

It could have been $12,000 (Sh1 million) though AFC Leopards eventually forked out $5,400 (Sh450,000) to ensnare Gor Mahia’s Eric Masika at not only the highest fee for a player this transfer period, but also in KPL history.

Most protracted deal
It was in the grapevine soon after last season ended that Leopards were interested in acquiring a player from their bitter rivals Gor.

The player, Gor’s jewel Masika.

“No way!” was Gor’s emphatic response. But the player indicated he wanted to move. Gor responded with a price tag of $12,000. After much haggling, the figure went down to a ‘take it or leave it’ $7,100 (Sh600,000).

Sanity and market forces eventually prevailed and the Kenya trialist made the big crossover at a record $5,400 to be, allegedly, among the highest paid at AFC and the league.
Biggest spenders

Leopards have shown real intent, going by their loose purse strings.

They once again led the way, splashing out $10,000 (Sh835,000), the highest in the transfer period, on players. In addition to Masika’s $5,400 was the sweet $4,300 (Sh380,000) deal for Ugandan Abbas Kiwalabye to decamp from Chemelil Sugar.

Gor spent $8,000 (Sh670,000), their most expensive signing Bandari goalkeeper Ivo Mapunda and Sony Sugar’s Hugo Nzangu at $2,400 (Sh200,000) each.

Ulinzi Stars came in a distant third, their shopping bill Sh420,000 largely spent on Kevin Amwayi (Western Stima) and Wycliff Ochomo (Gor), each costing $2,400.

Went for a song

Players who are out of contract only cost the equivalent of the personal terms negotiated.