Mawira ditches City Stars for Minnaert’s Leopards revolution

Nairobi City Stars defender Joshua Mawira has penned an 18-month contract with AFC Leopards ending protracted negotiations with the former Talanta Academy recruit.

The alumnus of Kiria Day School in Meru thus becomes the first ever player from that region to play for the 12-time domestic champions who are preparing to charge for the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title in the second leg of the season,

“I have finally moved. I’m happy for the development since it’s an opportunity for a new challenge. The coach contacted me shortly after we played AFC in the first round saying I was fit to fix what he wanted in his defense line, so he has confidence in me.

“I will offer the best to the team, it’s a way of honoring their trust in my abilities. I believe with the coach getting the team he wanted then we can bounce back to title contention again,” the former Nairobi’s Mahakama FC player told Citizen Digital.

Ingwe coach, Ivan Minnaert has been on the hunt for Mawira to bring him to the Den after a mid-season clear out of the squad that slipped from the top of the KPL summit to finish the first half in 11th.

The Belgian was impressed by the defender after he proved instrumental in their April 4 stunning 1-0 defeat of Leopards that sparked the collapse in form.

The defender saluted City Stars fraternity for giving him experience in the top-flight.

“Throught my career I have believe in hard work. City Stars demanded such an attitude and I thank the players and the management for the time I served there.

“I wish that they do better in the second leg of the league and survive relegation,” the new Leopard added.

He joins his former team mate at the Kawangware based club Yusuf Suf who sealed his move to the Den earlier this month.

Bernard Mang’oli, Harun Nyakha, Jackson Saleh, Edwin Wafula, Ian Otieno, John Ndirangu, Charles Bruno and Mali international Ismail Diarra have also joined Minnaert’s revolution as the team strives to recover its former bite and challenge for the crown.