Inside Leopards 33-man squad and transfers conundrum

AFC Leopards have, for a while, steered clear of the transfer market, but this with a reason; a FIFA indictment. The club recently had their banishment revoked and out the gates Ingwe have come out storming.

The former Kenyan giants have roped in a massive 19 new players to their ranks, a majority of them seasoned players, one would even say, "a proper blend". This might look like a fresh start for Leopards, a step perhaps, in mounting another attempt at clinching the ever elusive Premier League title.

Reaping heavily from Nzoia Sugar’s near-unstoppable team from last season, Ingwe have Humphrey Katasi, last season’s golden glove winner and a beast of an addition to their goalkeeping department. He will have to compete for starting places with Levis Opiyo and Maxwell Mulili. Left-back Vincent Mahiga and Randy Bakari to bolster the defence and the duo of Hassan Beja and Boniface Kweyu for the midfield.

Two shock arrivals at the den are Internationals Clifton Miheso and Kevin Kimani. These seasoned attackers will by far have immense influence inside the Tom Juma dressing room. They have been there, and yes, they have done that.

But who makes way to the already swelling squad?

The loan list indicates five out, and Leopards it seems, has every intention to keep tabs on them.

Dan Sunguti and Nesta Olum have already been shipped to upcoming Rainbow FC. Eric Mbithi who is out treating a knock might as well sit out the first leg of the 2023/24 FKF Premier League season. Zachary Njite still awaits his fate.

Now comes the sensitive issue of players being released, let go having run out their contracts. Mukangula Eugene and Peter Thiong’o who largely stood in as Leopards captains throughout last season are out and so are Shivachi Collins and Robert Mudenyu. A lot has been said about the departing quartet, but there can only be one truth; they showed up for the team when it mattered most.

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Boniface Mukhekhe on the other hand downed his tools when it was suggested to him that he join the loan list. Fair game, age may not be on his side to go and play in the second tier. Others like Tedian Esilaba called it quits way before. Everything it seems, was well laid out as senior players don’t just quit like that.

Leopards youth team, the Cubs are on the brink of a regional title, and perhaps promotion into the Div 2. For a team that has a proven history of promoting from within, there could be a missed opportunity in bringing some of the cubs up.

Ingwe’s senior team has a handful of players who previously featured for the cubs, and during the club’s transfer crisis, held the team together. The transitional success witnessed in the likes of Maxwell Otieno, Brian Wanyama should have been encouraged. Who knows how many of the youngsters eagerly awaited promotion.

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All said and done, the injury list with Victor Omune and Saad Musa in it, means there are more who will pave the way when the two Leopards cogs fully recuperate.

Having already addressed the salary arrears issue with their coach Patrick Aussems, calmed a storm that was inevitably going to bring shame to one of the country’s oldest clubs, Ingwe- armed with a 33-man squad, are good to go. Leopards host FC Talanta on August 27, their first fixture of the 2023/24 FKF PL campaign.