AFC Leopards unveil four players in bid to turn fortune around and clinch league title

AFC Leopards have unveiled four new players ahead of the FKF Premier League season set to start on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

The 12-time premier league champions club says the new stars will help the club reclaim the league title they last won in 1998.

The new signings include Peter Manyang, South Sudan national team captain, forward Sydney Lokale, wing-back Julius Masaba, and Samuel Semo.

The club also unveiled Kenneth Wendo as the 2nd Assistant Coach, in a ceremony held during the club’s gala night in a city hotel.

Manyang, 30, joins Ingwe from Serbian First League club FK Radnički Sremska Mitrovica where he joined in 2023. He has previously played for Al-Ghazal and Amarat United both in South Sudan.

Sydney Lokale, 23, joins from KCB where he has been playing since 2022. He has also featured for Kariobangi Sharks between 2018-2022, but was loaned to HIFK Fotbol in 2020 in Helsinki, Finland.

Another signing is Julius Masaba from premier league side Kariobangi Sharks and Samuel Semo from another league side, Murang’a SEAL.

With the core theme of the gala being to return Ingwe to former glory, chairman Dan Shikanda promised that the team will start the season strongly to have a chance at winning the league title. 

“Our performance in the first 10 matches last season was subpar. We have done our homework, and to win we must hit the ground running,” declared Shikanda.

Head Coach Thomas Trucha echoed Shikanda’s sentiment, expressing his confidence in the squad’s ability to contend for the title in the 2024/2025 season. 

“We aim to begin the season on a stronger footing than last year, showing everyone that we are ready to fight for the title,” affirmed Trucha.

Captain Clifton Miheso added his voice, emphasizing on the need for improvement.

“Last season didn’t meet our expectations, but this year, we are determined to turn things around and give our all,” said Miheso resolutely.

The gala event also saw Victor Omune received two awards; the Players' Player of the Season and the Most Valuable Player (MVP). 

Kaycie Odhiambo was honored as the Fans' Player of the Season, while Kelson Amunya was recognized as the Fan of the Season.

With the new season approaching, Leopards will kick off their league title campaign with an away match against newly promoted Mathare United on Saturday at Dandora Stadium.