Shikanda backs new-look Leopards to break league title drought

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda maintains the team has the right balance of experience and youthful blood to mount a challenge for the FKF Premier League title.

His assertion follows a massive recruitment drive at the club that has brought in 14 new players to back up their title-winning ambitions.

They have however not made an encouraging start to their season, drawing their opening game against FC Talanta last weekend and losing their second 1-0 against KCB on Friday.

LEOPARDS NEW SIGNINGS: Clifton Miheso (Kenya Police FC), Kevin Kimani (free agent), Humphrey Katasi (Nzoia Sugar), Randy Bakari (Nzoia Sugar), Boniface Munyendo (Nzoia Sugar), Hassan Beja (Nzoia Sugar), Vincent Mahiga (Nzoia Sugar), Yassin Sije (Nzoia Sugar), Luke Namanda (Musanze FC), Brian Yakhama (FC Talanta), Brian Mandela (Mwatate FC), Gideon Were (Mathare United), Shawn Oloo (Wazito fc), Aziz Okaka (Wazito FC)

The Big Cats are playing under a new leadership following the exit of head coach Patrick Aussems last season, with Tom Juma now the man charged the enormous responsibility of winning Leopards’ first league title after close to 25 years.

According to Shikanda, Ingwe are blessed to have Juma who has served as assistant coach for four foreign coaches including recently under Aussems.

"I think Tom Juma has been here as a player, team manager and as an assistant coach serving under four top cream tacticians.

“I believe that he is the best person to take this team to the next level including winning the league title for our fans and the first one in 22 years,” Shikanda said.

His sentiments were echoed by Leopards assistant coach Fred Ambani who has confidence in the players the team has roped in to bolster the squad.

"Our major plan this season is to lift the league trophy and that's what we are going for and praying for.

“If you want to finish in top five then you will be given that but for Leopards, we are targeting to finish top of the log this season and nothing else,” Ambani said.

The twelve-time league champions have signed fourteen players including; Clifton Miheso from Police FC, Kevin Kimani from Mathare United and the trio of Boniface Munyendo, Yassin Sije and goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi from Nzoia Sugar among others.