AFC Leopards sweating on defender's fitness after weekend injury
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 27.01.26. | 08:17
The former Green Commandos player sustained a knock in the first half, ending his involvement at halftime
AFC Leopards are sweating on the fitness of their center back Emmanuel Lwangu, following an injury he sustained during his team’s 1-0 win over Sofapaka on Sunday, 25 January.
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Lwangu, who was making his fourth consecutive start for Ingwe this season, played only one half of football in the victory, before being replaced by Randi Bakari at halftime.
Answering a question as to why the former Green Commandos defender did not come out for the second half, Leopards coach Fred Ambani said he had sustained a knock on his leg, which ended his participation for the rest of the match.
“He got injured during the first half,” Ambani told Azam TV post-match. “He had a knock which injured one of his muscles, to the point that he could not run, nor make a pass.”
Ambani added that he had a conversation with the former Shabana man, before he opted to sideline him for the second half.
“I asked him about it [injury] and he told me he could not continue,” Ambani said. “We hope that he will be back soon.”
After the match, Lwangu, who spotted a strapping on his left knee, was seen hobbling as he joined the rest of the squad in a lap of appreciation to the fans at Kasarani Stadium.
In the four matches that Lwangu featured as a starter, AFC Leopards won all, and only conceded once.
His partnership in central defense with Kayci Odhiambo had started to hit peak form, and his presence will be vital in the team building on its quest to clinch the club’s first FKF Premier League title in 28 years.
Earlier this month, Ambani spoke highly of Lwangu, crediting his mentality and physicality, amid defensive concerns that existed at the den at that point in the season.
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“He is a great player,” Ambani said of Lwangu following his first start of the season against Nairobi United on 7 January. “The mentality is there, the physique is there, and you could see how aggressively he fought. He was very impressive against a strong side and helped the team, and I would like to appreciate him for that.
We have been having problems at centre-back, but he has proven that he could be the solution to those problems.”
