The deadline has passed and the squad is the squad. 11 arrived, 7 left, and everything else printed about this club last month was a rumour that stayed one.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Mara Sugar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Successful dribbles: 24. He went past people as if he had been told there was a prize for it, and by the end the full-back had stopped pretending to try.
A medical, a signature, a shirt held up in front of a sponsor’s board. Mara Sugar have done the hard part with Ulinzi Stars, and the part that remains is the part supporters actually see.
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Kakamega Homeboyz have kept their man, and Mara Sugar go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
Mara Sugar ran out of time with Kariobangi Sharks. The paperwork was open when the deadline passed, and a transfer that was almost done is now a transfer that never happened.
14 days on the announcement, and a year of quiet, unwatched rehabilitation behind it. Mara Sugar lose a player for a season; he loses something harder to name.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Cailin Knock and Mara Sugar agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The dugout18 Dec 2028
Felix Opoyo is still being punished for one mistake
Nobody will confirm it and the team sheets confirm it every week. One error has bought him a spell as second choice that is already longer than the error deserved.
42 days on the estimate, and a long, private, unglamorous year of a rehabilitation nobody watches. Mara Sugar lose a footballer; he loses considerably more than a season.
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Mara Sugar, and it is not being withdrawn.
Evans Omondi Ouma was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
In brief
The dugoutLameck Omondi asks for a word with the manager
Successful dribbles: 15. He went past people as if he had been told there was a prize for it, and by the end the full-back had stopped pretending to try.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Mara Sugar has been clear about where Emmanuel Obala stands, which is more than many ever get.
“It is not the end of the world and it is not good enough. Both of those are true.” The manager, after a 0‑0 draw, said the honest thing and then went to say it again inside.