Tusker FC sign former Kariobangi Sharks striker

©Eric Kapaito

FOOTBALL Tusker FC sign former Kariobangi Sharks striker

Joel Omotto 13:00 - 16.08.2023

The forward has decided to return home after his proposed transfer to Zambia fell through

Harambee Stars striker Erick Kapaito has joined Tusker FC after his transfer to Zambian side Zanaco fell through last month.

Despite being officially unveiled as part of Zanaco’s squad after signing a one-year deal, Kapaito did not join the team in Lusaka for pre-season, with reports in the Zambian press saying certain financial guarantees agreed upon had not been fulfilled, leading to the collapse of the transfer.

Kapaito has now decided to return home after a stint abroad with Tusker offering him an escape route as coach Robert Matano beefs up his attack ahead of the new season.

According to a source who sought anonymity as he is not authorised to speak on the matter, the former Kariobangi Sharks attacker sealed the deal on Wednesday morning having started talks with the brewers last month and was set to join the team’s pre-season training in Tanzania but the transfer was not finalised by then.

Kapaito found himself without a club following the relegation of Ethiopian side Arba Minch City FC from the Ethiopian Premier League in July.

Arba Minch suffered the heartbreaking axe following their 1-1 draw with Hawassa City while fellow relegation candidates Wolkite City also played to a 1-1 stalemate against Adama City, the point helping them secure safety.

The result left Arba Minch 14th on the 16-team log, relegating them to the second tier, and with Ethiopian football rules preventing foreigners from featuring in the lower leagues, Kapaito and Kenyan compatriot Bernard Ochieng had to leave.

It had been a rollercoaster ride for the striker in Ethiopia as he featured in 21 of their 30 league games last season while scoring four goals.

Kapaito joined the club in September 2021, signing a two-year contract, after bagging 24 goals for Sharks the previous campaign and that is the form Tusker will hope he regains.