Mara Sugar release five players as pre-season training begins

Mara Sugar FC have parted ways with five players as the FKF Premier League side began pre-season training on Friday ahead of the new campaign.

Among the high-profile departures are Tanzania international midfielder Kevin Longbert and Lameck Luhangala.

The club has also released Samuel Guto, Byron Billy and left-footed midfielder Makame Mwalago. Team manager Gilbert Ledama confirmed the exits, saying the players struggled for regular game time last season.

“We have officially released them. They did not have enough playing time last season. We wish them the best in their future endeavours,” said Ledama.

He added that the club has already begun recruiting replacements ahead of the upcoming season. Mara Sugar have also suffered a major defensive blow following the departure of influential centre-back Robinson Musungu, who has joined AFC Leopards.

The club is also facing the prospect of losing FKF Premier League defender of the season Jimmy Owili to KCB FC, as forward Timothy Ndalaya is reportedly close to joining Kakamega Homeboyz.

Despite the speculation surrounding their futures, both players reported for pre-season training at the club’s base in Enoosaen, Kilgoris, in Narok County. Sources indicate that Mara Sugar are yet to agree on transfer terms with KCB and Kakamega Homeboyz for the two players.

Ledama maintained that the club is keen to retain the core of its squad after experiencing significant disruption during the mid-season transfer window.

“We don’t expect major changes in the team ahead of next season. We lost many players in the mid-season transfer window, which almost destabilised the team, but this time we don’t expect that to happen,” Ledama told the Star.

The team manager, however, declined to comment on reports linking former Kenyan international Mike Mururi with the club’s head coaching position. “The management is handling the coach issue, and if there is any information on the same, it will be made public,” he said.

Mururi was nevertheless present at the club’s training base on Friday morning, where he was reportedly introduced to the players. The experienced tactician has previously handled several Kenyan clubs, including Vihiga United, Western Stima, Sofapaka FC, Nzoia Sugar FC and Chemelil Sugar.