Kepha Aswani happy at Ingwe

In-form AFC Leopards forward Kepha Aswani has distanced himself from a social media rant aimed at his coach, Ivan Minnaert through his Facebook account where he appeared to fault the Belgian coach for leaving him out of Ingwe’s starting eleven for the better part of the Kenyan Premier league (KPL) second leg.

Aswani survived a squad overhaul from the Belgian Coach that saw twelve players axed from the team at the end of first leg and the former Harambee Stars striker has since hit top form. He extended his tally for goals to double figures with a strike against Posta Rangers at the start of the month.

“It is so sad but I have to write this. I have surrendered playing for the team I cherish most reason being that the coach doesn’t believe in me. I always work hard to play in his first team but that isn’t happening since he always brings me in when things go bad,” part of the post read.

Sharp as he has been the turn of the second leg, he is yet to cement a regular starting place at the Den, leading him to vent his dismay with Minnaert on social media.

“I think am not good so let him play those of whom he thinks are better. Am in the golden boot race yet always not starting matches. I hope you fans understand because it’s sad,” Aswani continued, in a rant that is likely to see him sanctioned by the club.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Aswani assured that contrary to what the post suggested he was in good terms with his Coach, claiming that his account had been hacked by a malicious individual.

“It is well with me and am happy with the coach. Everything is working out well; it doesn’t matter how much play time I get on the pitch. I believe in what the Coach does so even if I get to play only in the second half then that’s cool with me,” he explained.

With the recent acquisition of former Hearts of Oak Ghanaian striker Gilbert Fiamenyo and stiff competition from striker Bruno Kiyai, Aswani will have to work harder to earn a regular spot in the team or seek greener pastures.

The former Thika United striker joined Leopards during the January transfer window following a mass exodus of players from the Den last year which necessitated a re-assembling of a new squad.

“Whoever did that is only trying to tarnish my name and make the coach think that am trying to sabotage his tenure,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ingwe fans have been exchanging words on social media with each reacting differently to the Facebook post.

“With this mentality I don’t think we can go anywhere even if we hire another coach,” Keagan posted.

“Nandwa, De Jong, Eymael, Abdalla Juma, Koops, Olaba, Matano, Logarusic were all useless? Bring Fergusson now and Aswani will tell the fans how he is not good and you will start crying Fergusson ni bonoko,” Abbas Germany criticized the player.

Coach Minnaert has insisted that he will stick to his course of plan as the team’s tactician alluding that Bruno Kiyai is the striker he deems fit to lead the team’s frontline.

“Let’s not forget that this is the same player who was not scoring in the first leg but is now almost scoring freely,” Minnaert told Citizen Digital.

“Am happy that he is thirsty for goals and also answering to the calls to score them”.