Leopards set to pip Yanga for Mugheni’s signature

Chief Writer, AFC Leopards

Kenyan heavyweights AFC Leopards are set to sign their first foreign player in the current transfer window Congolese midfielder Fabrice Mugheni on a two-year contract.

Mugheni who has already landed in Nairobi to complete the move had been plying his trade with Rwanda giants Rayon Sports until his contract expired and Leopards have wasted wasting no time in bringing him to the Den.

Ingwe’s secretary general Oliver Sikuku confirmed that the 25-year-old will put pen to paper before the end of this week after the club chairman Dan Shikanda returns from Turkey where he went to collect the team’s Umbro kit.

“Let me say that for now the deal has not yet been finalized until the chairman (Dan Shikanda)comes back. May be we wait till Thursday (today), that’s when we expect the chairman to return.

The player is excited to be with us after we held some talks with him but the final paper work will be completed when chairman is in the country,” Sikuku said.

Mugheni will be Leopards third signing after the club captured Harrison Mwendwa from Kariobangi Sharks and Peter Thiong’o from Kakamega Hombeoyz .

The big cats have trained their eyes on ending a title hoodoo that has hung over their heads for 22 years, like a bad smell, which refuses to go away.

Mugheni will be expected to bolster the midfield department after losing Vincent Oburu who joined his former team mate Wyvonne Isuza at big-spending Wazito.

Mugheni who bade farewell to Rayon Sport fans in June this year has also been targeted by Tanzanian heavyweights Yanga SC.

Ingwe will be keen to get the transfer over the line as nothing is finalized just yet other suitors could still hijack the deal.

Leopards lost a number of foreign players last season due to financial difficulties.

Former captain Soter Kayumba led the foreign legion in ditching the club, returning to his native country Rwanda, while Malian Ismailla Diarra, Burundian Tresor Ndikumana and Vincent Habamahoro of Rwanda also quit.

According to Shikanda, Leopards are poised to rope in five players to add spark to the squad ahead of the new season.