Tusker confirm arrival of five new players after releasing seven

• Tusker are rebuilding for the new season
• They are expected to sign two more
• The brewers finished the season trophy-less

Tusker FC has confirmed the acquisition of five new players ahead of the 2023-24 season of the FKF Premier League. This is after releasing seven, and commencing a rebuilding process of the team. The Brewers have acquired the services of Joseph Mwangi, James Kibande, Fabian Adikiny and Ugandan John Byamukama, while goalkeeper Edwin Simiyu has been promoted from the Youth Team.

Mwangi, 26, arrives at Ruaraka from Nzoia Sugar where he has played for the last four seasons, after signing from Nyahururu’s Griffons. He was one of Nzoia’s top performers last season, having directly contributed to 21 goals (14 goals, seven assists) in 30 matches for the Bungoma-based club.

“I am delighted to join Tusker FC. This is a big club and when the opportunity finally opened up to come here, I couldn’t think twice. I have been training with them for the last week and I have been welcomed really well. I already feel at home and I am ready to give my best for the jersey,” noted Mwangi.

Ex Nzoia teammate Kibande also joins in 

Tusker FC’s new signing James Kibande

He has moved to Ruaraka alongside Kibande, 25, who returned to Nzoia Sugar on loan from Kenya Police FC in mid-season. Kibande had joined Police at the start of the season, but opted for a return to Nzoia midway through in search of playing time. He had joined the sugar millers straight from St. Anthony’s High School, Kitale, in 2018.

Midfielder Adikiny arrives from Murang’a Seal, where he actively played a massive role in helping the earn promotion to the Premier League. He had previously featured for Muhoroni Youth as a School boy in 2017 before moving to Murang’a.

He is expected to fill in massive shoes as he joins a new team and is already looking forward to the challenge.

The team has also added a second Ugandan into the fray, with the signing of midfielder “Toki” Byamukama from Gaddafi FC. The 24-year-old can play in any position across midfield, and his versatility was the biggest attraction for the technical bench to hand him a contract.

First time outside Uganda 

Tusker FC’s new signing John Byamukama

“This is my first time outside of Uganda and I am delighted to be in Tusker. If you ask anyone in Uganda about the big clubs in Kenya, they will always mention Tusker FC. It is a well known club there of course because of the success some players have had here,” the midfielder noted.

He added; “I want to continue in that line of heritage too and do well for this club.”

Byamukama started his career with Bumate FC in the FUFA Big League, the second tier of Ugandan football, before joining Tooro United and ultimately Express FC. He spent the second half of last season with Gaddafi.

Meanwhile, keeper Simiyu has joined a list of players to be promoted from the Tusker Youth team to the senior team. He follows in the footsteps of Eric Zakayo, John Njuguna and latest one being Collins ‘Kante’ Otieno who was promoted last year.