Kisumu All Stars centre back Salim Hamisi says the absence of a team from the Nyanza region in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League compelled him to turn down offers from top flight clubs as he seeks to guide Otenga back to the top flight.The region had Western Stima who have since rebranded to Kisumu United in the top league but the latter was axed to the second tier after finishing in the red zone last season. Hamisi revealed that newly promoted Kenya Police FC and Vihiga Bullets had enquired over his availability following the conclusion of the past season but opted to stay put and help the club regain its place in the FKFPL.Western Stima defender Salim Hamisi Odeka joins Posta Rangers#KPLTransfers pic.twitter.com/jxNWhjUeKT— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) August 27, 2020 The burly defender joined All Stars in February after being deemed surplus to requirement at Posta Rangers who have since done almost wholesome changes in their playing unit since caoch Stanley Okumbi took over the reigns in February.All Stars were dropped to the NSL last year after losing the playoffs to Vihiga United who have also followed suit following their defeat in the hands of Police in the two-legged fixture. “I had offers from the two clubs but after carefully going through them, I felt that remaining at All Stars was the better option. It pains me when our region that boasts of talents doesn’t have a team in the top flight,” he said. Further, Hamisi said he turned down the suitors in a bid to quench his thirst for regular playing time.Why Salim Hamisi nearly quit football last month” I didn’t see much game time at Rangers and one of the reasons I chose All Stars was to rediscover my form and help the club attain its objectives,” he remarked. The former Sony Sugar defender in the meanwhile regretted that a walkover they dished to Silibwet Leons in July cost them the automatic promotion last season. All Stars faltered when it mattered most and ended up finishing outside the promotion bracket in spite of the talent in their squad. “We had a good chance of getting promoted last season but unfortunately we gave a walkover at a crucial stage of the league. We learnt our lesson and hopefully we will get promoted this time round,” he added.
