AFC Leopards add new coach to technical bench ahead of upcoming season

AFC Leopards have beefed up their technical bench ahead of the new season, which commences on Friday, with the appointment of a new goalkeepers’ trainer, Steve Mbogo, who joins the club after a spell with Dimba Patriots.

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Mbogo takes over from veteran Haggai Azande, who has been sharpening Ingwe’s keepers for the last two years. There were murmurs that he would be replaced as the club sought a more energetic trainer to handle the goalkeeping department in the coming season.

The club has now released an official communication confirming the appointment: “Steve Mbogo is the new AFC Leopards goalkeepers’ trainer,” read the club statement in part.

“The former Dimba Patriots goalkeepers’ trainer, with over six years of experience, joins us to beef up our goalkeeping department.

He has previously handled Mathare United, FC Talanta, and Wazito FC.”

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At the Den, he will have three goalkeepers to sharpen: Ugandan James Ssetuba, Humphrey Katasi, and new signing Samuel Kusindi. The trio will all be battling for the starting spot following Levis Opiyo’s exit, although Ssetuba is expected to start when the season commences.

The other members of Ingwe’s technical bench are head coach Fred Ambani, assistant coach Ken Wendo, and team manager Bernard Mang’oli. Coach Ambani has already declared that the team will be going for the title, last won 27 years ago.

“The fans should look forward to us winning the league,” Ambani declared.

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“The players feel the weight of expectation because it has been a long time coming. Winning both the league and the domestic cup would be the perfect gift for our supporters, who have been with us every step of the journey.”

Ingwe were busy during the just-concluded off-season transfer window, bringing in nine players to galvanise their squad as they plan to go for the elusive league title.

The nine new faces are: Kusindi, right-back Brian Ojok, midfielders Abubakar Obeid, Tyson Otieno and Kang Deng, striker Elias Mugane, Ivory Coast centre-back Rami Lasso Coulibaly from Chabab Alam Tanger, Ugandan forward Samuel Ssenyonjo, and highly rated winger James Kinyanjui from KCB FC.

Ingwe start the season with a match against bogey side Sofapaka FC on Saturday at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

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