• However, the former Nairobi City Stars player insists he is not keen to replicate Badi's exploits at the club.
• KCB will look to improve their fortunes from last season, when they finished seventh with 49 points.
Image: HANDOUT
Newly-acquired KCB defender, Kevin 'Chumsy' Otieno, wants to be rated individually instead of being compared to seasoned Harambee Stars right-back Baraka Badi.
Otieno was brought in by coach Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno to plug the gap left by Badi, who joined top-tier rivals Kenya Police.
However, the former Nairobi City Stars player insists he is not keen to replicate Badi's exploits at the club.
“I don’t want to be the guy who is replacing Badi. I'm Otieno, another player, not the same player. I don’t play like him. I have different skills, another style, another idea of football, so I will try to do my best to provide solidity to the team,” said Otieno.
Otieno spoke even as the bankers announced the arrival of five more additions ahead of the transfer deadline on September 7, bringing the new signings to 11.
The five are Hillary Ojiambo from Soy United, Bramwell Kipkorir (Society 43 Nakuru), Edmond Erick (Gogo Boys FC), Kennedy Owino (Wazito FC), and schoolboy Haniff Wesonga.
They now join Otieno and Nicholas Kipkirui, who were both signed from Nairobi City Stars alongside forward Francis Kairo (FC Talanta), left-back Harun Mwale (Ulinzi Stars), midfielder Danson Chetambe (Bandari) and goalkeeper Byrne Omondi (Posta Rangers).
KCB are pegging their hopes on razor-sharp forward, Kairo, following the departure of last season's Golden Boot winner Derrick Otanga to Algerian top-flight side CS Constantine.
Kairo, who bagged nine goals for Talanta in the preceding KPL season, has already proven his mettle at KCB, having scored three goals in the three pre-season friendly matches they have played thus far.
The towering forward is expected to pair up with Henry Onyango upfront.
The bankers have a build-up match against record champions Gor Mahia at the ABSA football pitch in Ruaraka, Nairobi on Saturday.
They are stropping their talons ahead of their opening encounter of the new season against Kariobangi Sharks at Moi Stadium, Kasarani on September 11.
KCB will look to improve their fortunes from last season, when they finished seventh with 49 points.
The performance was quite a disappointment compared to the 2020/2021 KPL season, where they came close to claiming their maiden topflight title, having emerged runners-up to champions Tusker.