Coach Hall fills the cracks on Leopards shaky backline

As Head Coach Stewart Hall sets up AFC Leopards for what will be his first full season in charge of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) club, no other department has undergone more radical changes than their backline.

The Leopards have had a busy transfer window, releasing 12 of their 2016 regular fixtures and replacing them with ten new faces.

And for a side that conceded 1.27 goals every KPL match last season – the league’s fourth poorest record – only two defenders responsible for the undesirable generosity have been retained at the Den.

Former Nairobi City Stars defender Joshua Mawira and Yakubu Ramadhan are the only survivors, earning Hall’s faith according to the 26-man squad announced for the 2017 season.

“I had no doubt I would be a member of Leopards this season when I learnt what coach Hall was looking for in the team. I was a new member when he came having joined in the 2016 June transfer window, but I had won a place in the first 11 and was doing well.

“Besides talent and physical ability, the coach is very keen on player’s discipline and mentality. One message he has repeatedly told us is that the change everyone is expecting in the club will start from the players.

“Since his arrival, he has constantly reminded us Ingwe is a big club and we must represent it bigly. The players who have appreciated it are firm in his plans,” Mawira told Citizen Digital.

The duo, will have new partners in their department after exits of Cresten Mwanzo and Eugine Ambulwa who have since joined newly promoted Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side FC Nakumatt, Jackson Saleh who has returned to his parent club Gor Mahia, Yusuf Juma and former Sony Sugar’s Charles Bruno .

Hall has roped in Dennis Shikhayi from Western Stima, Robinson Kamura from Mathare United and Marcus Jairo joining from National Super League (NSL) side Nairobi Stima in his newly assembled defense.

Salim Abdalla, signed from Posta Rangers and Michael Kibwage who has been turning out for the Kakamega Homeboyz under-20 team, complete the new-look defense.

“The environment is just different, new technical staff and many new players. This has to be for the better for me as an individual and the entire team. I’m working hard to reward the faith the coaches have in me and contribute to achieving the targets of the season for the team.

“The new players in the team are mature, that’s why it has been easy to fit in the team as evidenced in the preseason friendlies we have played so far. By the time the season kicks-off we will be ready to go,” Mawira added.

Ingwe defeated Embu County team 3-0 before mauling Nyeri Combined 5-0 in last week’s build up matches, with another friendly against Kibera Black Stars slated for Thursday evening at Nairobi’s Camp Toyoyo.

He however concedes nothing will come easy, noting it will a big challenge for the 12-time champions in their bid to change last season’s fortunes that saw them finish 13th in the KPL.

“That was a bad season, but the task ahead is big. Every club is putting their houses in order so it we have to give our best if we must register significant improvement,” Mawira stated.

Apart from the new defenders, Hall has signed goalkeeper Gabriel Andika from Western Stima taking Lukas Indeche’s place who joined rivals Bandari FC. Andika will fight for the number one jersey against Ian Otieno and national under-20 shot stopper Edwin Mukolwe.

New additions in the midfield are Kevin Kimani, youngsters Ibrahim Mao and Sammy Ndungu from Sofapaka Youth and Muhoroni Youth respectively. Others are Whyvonne Isuza who decamped from Mathare United and Duncan Otieno from Posta Rangers.

Ghanian Gilbert Fiamenyo, Marcelo Ingotsi and Vincent Oburu join Hall goal poachers in his final team.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

1. Gabriel Andika 2. Ian Otieno 3. Edwin Mukolwe

Defenders

4. Dennis Sikhayi 5. Marcus Jairo 6. Joshua Mawira 7. Yakubu Rama 8. Robinson Kamura 9. Salim Abdalla 10. Michael Kibwage

Midfielders

11. Harun Nyakha 12. Lewis Wanami 13. Duncan Otieno 14. Benard Mang’oli 15. Whyvonne Isuza 16. Ibrahim Mao 17. Andrew Tololwa 18. Allan Katerega 19. Jackson Juma 20. Kevin Kimani 21. Sammy Ndungu

Strikers

22. Paul Kiongera 23. Gilbert Fiamenyo 24. Alfred Wekesa 25. Marcelo Ingotsi 26. Vincent Oburu