Kagera Sugar courting Nzoia Sugar midfielder

Nzoia Sugar holding midfielder James Kibande is anticipating that the appointment of former Kenyan international Francis Baraza as the new Kagera Sugar head coach will accelerate his intended transfer to the Tanzanian outfit.

Kagera who are among the relegation threatened teams in the premier league unsuccessfully sought his services in November last year.

Kibande says despite the transfer falling through at the eleventh hour, the club has kept close tabs with an intention of acquiring him in the summer transfer window.

The youthful midfielder who joined the sugar millers in January 2019 after completing his studies at St Anthonys Boys High School, Kitale believes that the arrival of Baraza will help fast track the talks and complete the paperwork pending the transfer.

Baraza who is famed for guiding Sony Sugar to the Kenyan Premier League title in 2006 caught many by surprise after ditching the flourishing Biashara United for Kagera last month.

"Kagera had approached me late last year but the deal did not go through. Their team manager still maintains that I am in their plans and hopefully the talks will gather more steam now that their boss is a man who understands my football abilities," he said.

Kibande who has a year remaining in his contract with Nzoia in the meantime, said he was keen on helping the club maintain its superb run in the league.

The Ibrahim Shikanda coached outfit was firing from all cylinders before the competition was halted by a presidential decree on March 25 and will be looking to pick from where they left once the Ministry of Sports okays the restart.

Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Ministry of Sports alongside that of Health to come up guidelines which will facilitate the safe return to action.

"I am still a Nzoia player who is fully committed to ensure the club accomplishes the objectives set before the season began. I just want to give the best for the remaining bit of the season and hopefully a good performance will not only help the club but secure me more offers, "he added.