*Undated
AFC Leopards, also dubbed Ingwe seem to be just kicking off their transfer window as the club now targets 5 to 6 players. The local giants could not make any signings previously after Fifa sanctioned them due to money owed to former players and coaches.
Ingwe have not added any new players to their set-up owing to a Fifa ban, but since then they have reached agreements with the individuals who took them to the world-governing body for dues that were not settled. Former coach Andre Casa Mbungo - now at Bandari - and former players Vincent Habaramahoro, Soter Kayumba, and Tresor Ndikumana are the ones who reported to Ingwe.
AFC Leopards have just one win - that was registered against Tusker in the season opener - in five games. They went on to draw 0-0 against KCB before consecutive defeats against Gor Mahia, Bandari and Ulinzi Stars.
AFC Leopards were left depleted when 17 players left before the current season began. Key players that departed include Benjamin Ochan, Jeff Oyemba, Clyde Senaji, Austin Odhiambo, Elvis Rupia and Yusuf Mainge. AFC Leopards have just one win - that was registered against Tusker in the season opener - in five games. They went on to draw 0-0 against KCB before consecutive defeats against Gor Mahia, Bandari and Ulinzi Stars.
"There is no way we can offload 16 players at a go and still expect to maintain our good form. There is an urgent need for us to beef up our entire playing unit if we expect to lay claim to silverwares. All departments must be improved," said assistant coach Tom Juma.
"All I can say is that we have prepared well enough to tackle Ulinzi but it would be unrealistic to promise a win at this time. The current crop of players we have at the moment are still too inexperienced and so I can't promise anything," said Juma. Juma said they are nonetheless working around the clock to sharpen the claws of the newly recruited cubs who were promoted from the academy side.
"How do you expect us to register convincing results with such a young and inexperienced squad? The boys have really been giving their best shot in our matches but have nonetheless failed to match expectations in one way or another," said Juma. "We are desperately in need of experienced players to give the impetus to charge for the title. As things stand, our fans shouldn't expect anything significant from us this season," lamented Juma.
"Our current first team consists of many players who were promoted from the youth team. They need to play a lot of games first before they can gather the kind of experience needed to win titles. We've been playing very well but our striking force is still blunt. You must have noticed that even Gor Mahia were crossing their fingers anxiously in wait for the full-time whistle because of the pressure we kept piling on them," said Juma.