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Vihiga Bullets' sale reveals financial turmoil, unpaid players, and community support, as a new chapter begins for the club.
On Friday 20 October, news broke that the once-promising Vihiga Bullets FC had been sold and a new dawn was on the horizon with the club's renaming to Samwest Blackboots FC under new ownership.
This development left both players and fans in anticipation but as the spotlight shifted the harsh reality of the club's recent struggles came to the forefront.
The story of Vihiga Bullets is one of dedication, hardship, and the enduring passion of football players who had to go months without salaries, meager allowances, and even playing on empty stomachs.
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15:00 - 31.10.2023
FKFPL Boost for AFC Leopards as star winger returns to training after long-layoff
The Harambee Stars winger became increasingly influential for AFC Leopards last season, scoring six league goals whilst being capable of playing anywhere across the front three.
As the club embarks on this new chapter, a haunting question lingers: will the owed salaries of former players finally be settled?
Before the sale rumors had swirled about the fate of Vihiga Bullets culminating in the acquisition of a spot in the National Super League (NSL) for a reported significant sum of Ksh 2.5 million.
The sale was a turning point but the financial struggles of the players had been brewing for a while.
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11:47 - 31.10.2023
FKFPL Crunch Gor Mahia versus Shabana clash to be beamed live on TV
Gor Mahia will face Shabana in a high stakes FKFPL clash at the Kasarani Stadium at 4 PM with the game set to be broadcasted live on Azam TV.
In their heyday in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), players were often left in dire straits receiving meager allowances of just Ksh1000 during match days.
For some players, it was not unusual to embark on arduous journeys to away games with empty stomachs a testament to their unwavering commitment to the game.
"We were paid nothing. We used to receive 1k on game day after Azam TV gave the league participating clubs 300,000 for the broadcasting rights of the Mashemeji Derby (last season). Yes, nothing else. Sometimes we would play without eating,” a former player, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed.
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08:45 - 31.10.2023
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia great Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino reveals plan to raise Kenyan clubs’ financial welfare
Owino has revealed what he will do to help local clubs get out of financial lulls if elected FKF president next year.
It was a harsh reality that these athletes faced giving their all on the field even as their pockets remained empty.
As they moved to the National Super League the situation worsened leading to the departure of numerous players due to unpaid salaries and allowances.
The burden of unpaid dues weighs heavily on the hearts of these former players.
"For a whole season, no one received salaries, but we hope the new club owners will settle the bills that the former owner owed to us, which is in millions," the anonymous player added.
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07:37 - 31.10.2023
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia’s piling injury list add to McKinstry’s fears ahead of Shabana and Police tests
Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry might be forced to do without three of his key players with games against Shabana and Kenya Police lined up in four days
Vihiga Bullets' journey began in 2019 when the club was acquired from the then-Kenyan Premier League side Nakuru All Stars.
Their best campaign came in 2020-21 when they secured a second-place finish behind champions FC Talanta, earning them promotion to top-flight football.
However, their fortunes took a nosedive in the 2022-2023 season, resulting in their relegation after a disastrous campaign.
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19:00 - 30.10.2023
FOOTBALL ‘He was misquoted’ - Shabana boss claims Sammy Okoth is 'still in charge' amid reports of a new interim coach
Shabana secretary general Elizaphan Kerama has added to the confusion surrounding the club after claiming coach Sammy Okoth is still in charge despite the tactician resigning on Sunday
With the change in ownership, a series of transformations is expected at the club.
A new board of management and technical bench will be put in place as the team seeks to rebuild its squad and make a comeback in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), despite a rough start to the current season.
Despite the transition in ownership Vihiga Bullets will continue under the same name until the conclusion of the current season. The Football Kenya Federation rules governing the sport do not permit a change of name in the middle of a campaign.
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18:05 - 24.10.2023
FOOTBALL With a squad worth billions, Harambee Stars is among top 100 most valuable national teams worldwide
Harambee Stars, Kenya's national football team, achieves a spot among the world's top 100 most valuable national teams, reflecting their rising talent.
The club's fans and players both past and present, will watch with bated breath as Samwest Blackboots FC navigates the challenges that lie ahead, hoping for a brighter future and perhaps the long-awaited resolution of the financial burdens that have weighed down this storied club.
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