KCB midfielder set for lengthy spell out with injury

FKF Premier League club KCB has confirmed that midfielder Dennis Maruti is set to be sidelined for a lengthy period after tearing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

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The Bankers, in a short statement on their social media platforms, said a scan on the defensive midfielder revealed the injury, which occurred in a league game against AFC Leopards on Thursday, 26 February.

“Defensive midfielder Dennis Maruti is set for a long injury lay off after a scan revealed that the player suffered a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament during our match against AFC Leopards,” KCB’s statement on Friday, 6 March read. “We wish him a quick recovery.”

The news comes as a big blow for Robert Matano’s side, which had been dependent on the former Murang’a Seal man this season.

Maruti, who joined KCB in September 2024, had grown into a consistent figure in midfield for KCB, and prior to his injury, was on a run of 11 straight league games as a starter.

The last time the former Mara Sugar man failed to be in KCB’s starting line-up was back in December last year, when he came off the bench in his team’s 1-0 victory over Sofapaka.

Maruti, who was pulled out of the Leopards game in the 22nd minute, had also seen his impact rewarded when he was named man of the match in a league victory over Posta Rangers on 20 January.

©Gad Isaac

To emphasize his impact, Matano lamented KCB’s recent display against Nairobi United on Wednesday, 4 March, in part due to the absence of Maruti, who was replaced by Rowland Makati in the starting line-up, and later by the returning Apollo Otieno.

Asked about the lack of a proper central defensive midfielder in his team after the 1-1 draw, Matano said: “Of course Maruti is doing a big job, but there is nothing we can do. I am happy Apollo is coming back well; he has trained for around two weeks. Midfield is our big problem, but Apollo is going to solve it.”

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With Maruti’s sized-gap to deal with, Matano will now seek to regroup his side as they look to improve from their eighth position in the league, while chasing a maiden piece of silverware in the domestic cup.

KCB are next in action on Saturday, 7 March when they take on Zetech University in the Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 32.