Leopards boost as Rupia, Shichenje extend contracts

Godfrey Ashiali  in Nairobi

Elvis Rupia has signed a new one year contract at AFC Leopards bringing to an end speculation over his future.

Confirming the development, an elated Leopards’ chairman Dan Shikanda said the former Wazito FC and Power Dynamo striker is an Ingwe player hence ‘going nowhere’.

Shikanda added that Ingwe are keen to bolster the playing unit with at least four new signings to be in pole position to lift the title next season.

“Rupia appended his signature yesterday (Monday) and so we are looking for other players to tighten our defence,”said  Shikanda.

Rupia has been a revelation at Leopards since joining in January to replace another scoring machine John-Mark Makwatta who joined Zesco United of Zambia on a three-year contract after scoring 12 goals for the club.

Also signing a new one year deal is former Green Commandos youngster Collins Shichenje. The club is also trying to convince Vincent Oburu and Ugandan custodian Benjamin Ochan to commit to new deals.

“We need to build a team and we are focused on ensuring that we seal all loopholes and tighten every nut ready…” Shikanda explained.

Shikanda, a former Leopards and Gor player also submitted that despite the coronavirus pandemic, the transfer window ‘is not that friendly’ and may require  a lot of money if they are to attract their transfer targets.

Leopards are eyeing players from the disbanded Western Stima FC who are being scrambled for by several clubs after Kenya Power Limited Company terminated their sponsorship with the Kisumu based team.

Former Gor Mahia captains Harun Shakava and Musa Mohammed and Duncan Otieno who all play for Zambian giants Nkana FC are also being monitored by Ingwe.

Should all trio join the den, it would be a massive boost to coach Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani .