Police Bullets head coach Beldine Odemba is scouring the transfer market for a replacement for Lydia ‘Ozil’ Akoth who has joined Tanzanian side Yanga Princess.
The Women’s Premier League 2023/2024 Most Valuable Player (MVP) crossed the border Friday on a six-month deal.
Odemba said they want to quickly fill the massive shoes left by the enterprising attacker.
“We have lost a very instrumental player. We have to sign a replacement as we aim to retain our title. Ozil played a big part in our maiden topflight season and we couldn’t stand in her way when the opportunity came. We wish her well,” Odemba said.
Akoth, formerly of Wadadia and Zetech Sparks star was nicknamed after former German and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozi owing to her dribbling and playmaking skills.
She had eight goals and 10 assists in 18 matches, leading the law enforcers to the title on an unbeaten run in their maiden WPL season.
She was instrumental as the Police side finished third in the FKF Cup and was also part of the team that fell 1-0 to Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers final in Addis Abba Ethiopia, last season.
‘Ozil’ made her senior national team debut at the Invitational Pink Ladies Cup tournament in Antalya, Turkey, in October last year under Odemba.
She played for the Under-20 women’s team, the Rising Starlets, during the 2022 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup first-round qualifying matches against Uganda.
Bullets captain Lydia Wanganda wished Akoth well in her next stop in a message on X (formerly Twitter).
“It has been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for being the best partner ever and always being there for me through thick and thin. I am happy for you but am also sad that you’re leaving. Best luck on your new adventure. Farewell and good luck,” said Waganda.
She joins a long list of Kenyan internationals to ply their trade in Tanzania led
by Corazone Aquino, Elizabeth Wambui,
Jentrix Shikangwa and Caroline Rufaa —
who play for champions Simba Queens,
Yanga’s sworn rivals.
