Munene makes Leopards switch permanent

Washington Munene has joined AFC Leopards on a two-year permanent deal, the club have announced on their website.

The former Wazito FC left-back has been at the Den on loan but the club have agreed to make it permanent after he impressed in the 2019-2020 season.

Munene joined Ingwe in September last year alongside goal poacher John-Mark Makwatta who later left to join Zambian giants Zesco United and defender Clyde Senachi.

He now becomes an integral part of the squad which hopes to challenge for the 2020-2021 title.

Ingwe, a 12-time league winners are expected to announce a new head coach this week with the current coach Antony Modo Kimani expected to deputize him.

Club chairman Dan Shikanda is at the same time determined to see to it that players whose contracts are expiring are extended.

“We are working and determined to have contracts of our players extended. We are talking to people like Benjamin Ochan who is our first choice keeper to have his contract extended,” Shikanda explained.

The Ugandan was pivotal to Leopards run last term featuring in nearly all the league matches.

“We want to make sure we strengthen in all departments ­- from the technical bench, playing unit and even the secretariat so as to make sure we compete well when football resumes,” enthused Shikanda.

With football likely to resume in November after being suspended by the government in March due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, Leopards are highly expected to unveil their new signings this week in readiness for the new season.

Congolese midfielder Fabrice Mugheni, Harrison Mwendwa from Kariobangi Sharks, Washintone Munene from Wazito FC, and Kakamega Homeboyz striker Peter Thiong’o are among the new faces expected to feature for Ingwe in the new season.

Leopards were placed seventh on the grid when sports was halted by the government which consequently led to the declaration of Gor Mahia the 2019-2020 champions by the Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa in April.