AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani has said the players signed by the club ahead of the new season have brought depth to the team.
He said he doesn’t believe the new players will give him a headache when choosing his first eleven, adding; “There will be competition among the players and this is good for the team.”
“Some of the players are very experienced. We have quality players, so to say. This has created competition, which is good for the overall wellbeing of the team,” Ambani said.
The former international striker, who was at the weekend confirmed the AFC Leopards head coach, will have Kenneth Wendo as his assistant. Former international midfielder, Benard Mang’oli has been retained as the team manager.
Ambani has been serving as the interim coach since the departure of Thomas Trucha in December 2024. He guided the team to finish sixth in the premier league. Ambani has promised Ingwe fans that the new season will be about ending their 27-year wait for the league title. Their eyes are also FKF League Cup. “This will be the greatest gift we can give to our loyal fans, who have supported the team throughout, over the years,” the coach said.
Leopards’ last won a trophy in 2017 when they lifted the FKF Cup after beating Kariobangi Sharks 2-0.
Ambani believes the team has what it takes to win the coveted titles. “If I give them (fans) the league and the domestic trophy, then I will have given the best reward,” he said.
Ingwe last won the league title in 1998, a form the team is hoping to replicate this season, according to Ambani.
“This is my job, it is what I am employed to do. We want to perform better than last season. The way they (players) compete for roles during training gives us (technical bench) a lot of hope.”
Leopards, who open their league campaign against Sofapaka at Nyayo National Stadium on September 20, have signed strikers Elias Mugane from Super League side Fortune Sacco and Ugandan international Samuel Ssenyonjo, from giants Express FC.
Mugane finished as top scorer in the NSL last season with 22 goals. He made nine assists. Ssenyonjo finished fourth in the Ugandan Premier League’s top scorer chart last season.
Ingwe has also reinforced their defence by bringing in Ivorian centre-back Rami Lasso Coulibaly from Moroccan top side Chabab Alam Tanger. Another defender, Brian Ojok Nyongesa, has also arrived from Soy United.
Other new signings are attacking midfielders Tyson Otieno, James Kinyanjui from Kenya Commercial Bank, and goalkeeper Samuel Ambale. South Sudan attacking midfielder Deng Kang and Jamal Abied are also part of the team.
