They say the mid-season window is never the best time to sign players as the best are never available on the market during that window and few clubs would be willing to let their key players exit midway through the season unless they are out of contracts.Some clubs, however, manage to get good players during this window; or players who were initially thought not to be good enough turn out to be instant hits at their new clubs and end up spurring teams into success.##NAJAVA_MECA_7268643##The FKF Premier League transfer window ran from February 27 to March 27, and all the clubs bar AFC Leopards, who are serving a transfer ban, made mid-season acquisitions. We take a look at five players who have proved to be instant hits.James Kibande (Nzoia Sugar FC)The winger returned to Nzoia six months after leaving for the Kenya Police. At Police, he struggled with playtime, making just one appearance before he was shipped back to the Bungoma-based side.He immediately picked up where he had left off at Nzoia, scoring important goals for the title race surprise package, including a goal against his former side. His return coincided with Felicien Okanda’s move to Kakamega Homeboyz, which meant it was a like-for-like replacement. In total, he has scored five league goals since joining the club, the highest any mid-season acquisition has achieved.UPDATE Nzoia has taken the lead against Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium. The goal was scored by James Kibande Jnr 0-1 #SportsKE#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/IHA2BkuPdS— SportsKE (@SportsKlub) May 14, 2023 Michael Oduor (Tusker FC)His release from KCB was not only a surprise to him but also to his own teammates. He has so far scored two goals for Tusker FC, winners against KCB and Kakamega Homeboyz. He also has a Cup assist, also against KCB.He is slowly becoming Tusker’s main attacker, one that struggling KCB may regret letting go of easily as he had been a starter for them for the better part of the first leg. Tusker are in the running for two titles, and Oduor, an integral part of the team, could be a double winner by the end of the season.Michael Oduor scores a beauty for Tusker!!Get in #Tusker #FootballKe pic.twitter.com/5mGrgXKoUu— Sammy Gitahi (@SammyGitahi7) April 26, 2023 Hillary ‘Seba’ Juma (Kakamega Homeboyz)He was acquired from Wazito FC as a low-profile signing, but he is fast proving to be indispensable. The attacking midfielder has become a mainstay in the team’s midfield and has scored a couple of league and cup goals. His vision, passing, and industry make him a big threat to opponents.He’s still young and has a lot of room for improvement.Kakamega Homeboyz’s secret weapon: Get to know the young talent, Hillary Juma https://t.co/q9wBjc3FTr#FKFPL #FootballKE #KenyanFootball #KakamegaHomeboyz— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) April 27, 2023 Vincent Owino (Nairobi City Stars)The departure of Sven Yidah and Timothy Ouma from City Stars and the injuries and form struggles of Anthony Kimani and Peter Opiyo left a big gap in City Stars’ midfield, and it played a big part in their first-leg struggles.Coach Nicholas Muyoti raided FC Talanta and acquired Owino, who now appears to have been the missing jigsaw piece. He has become an instant hit for Simba wa Nairobi, playing a big role both defensively and in initiating attacks.He has chipped in with three goals, and for a midfielder, it can be said to be a tidy sum. The City Stars look stable at the back, and he has certainly played a part in helping them achieve that.25″Vincent Owino tries to hit outside the box but the keeper makes a saveNCS 0-0 BAN#SimbaWaNairobi— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) May 14, 2023 Robert Onyango (Wazito FC)The Muhoroni-based side got out of the relegation zone for the first time last week after beating Posta Rangers, and Onyango was one of the goal scorers for the club.The former Kariobangi Sharks attacker “disappeared’ after leaving William Muluya’s side two years ago, only to re-emerge at Muhoroni in March. He is their main man upfront, and if they retain their top-flight status, then he is one of the players they will be grateful to.GOALRobert Onyango had given Wazito the lead against Ulinzi earlier on1-0 #FKFPL #Pepeta— Pepeta (@pepeta_ke) April 22, 2023 Peter Waweru handed VAR duties for CAF Confederation Cup final in Tanzania##EDITORS_CHOICE##
