Wanga leads the flight back to Leopards Den

Wanga leads the flight back to Leopards Den

AFC Leopards head coach Ivan Minnaert has confirmed that Azam FC Striker Allan Wanga and midfielder Peter Opiyo are expected back at The Den with Kenyan Premier League (KPL) rivals Bandari FC also declaring Bernard Mang’oli and Edwin Wafula will return to their former club within the next week.

Others targeted are former Gor Mahia FC and Simba SC forward Paul Kiongera together with former Bandari FC player, Crispinus  Oduro who is based in Finland.

The Belgian who has already signed three players as free agents has held that his main goal is to reinforce his striking force, midfield as well as the goal keeping department.

The three acquired are Harun Nyaka from Tusker FC, Yusuf Suf from Nairobi City Stars FC and Carles Bruno from Sony Sugar FC.

“I still want two goal keepers; two defenders, one or two midfielders as well as strikers.I can not disclose their names since the club is still in talks

“The main objective is that Dan Mule and Peter Lichungu are doing a great job ensuring that I get the best that I want,” the Belgian asserted.

“For the former players, we are expecting three names Wanga, Opiyo and the other one I can not disclose until we finalise everything.

“Wanga and Opiyo should be in the country this weekend to finalise everything since they are all free agents. One thing am sure about is that no Paul Were, Charles Okwemba and Jackson Saleh on my list of players.”

The Former Rayon Sports tactician has said that he is targeting the league trophy this season with the club finishing the first leg in 11th on 17 points;12 adrift Kenya Premier League (KPL) leaders Tusker FC.

-Mang’oli, Wafula return-

Simon Abuko (C) of AFC Leopards SC outpaces Bernard Mangoli (L) and David Gateri during their Sportpesa Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on March 02, 2016. AFC Leopards SC won 1-0. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com
Simon Abuko (C) of AFC Leopards SC outpaces Bernard Mangoli (L) and David Gateri during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on March 02, 2016. AFC Leopards SC won 1-0. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com

Leopards are also close to finalizing a deal to bring back midfielder Mangoli and defender Wafula back to The Den from Bandari.

Talks between Ingwe and the Dockers are at an advanced stage and an agreement could be confirmed as soon as next week according to Bandari team manager Edward Oduor.

“Once they are through we will be told by the Board to issue the release letters but for now talks are still going on and we expect them to conclude by next week,” the former Harambee Stars team manager confirmed.

Mangoli and Wafula left the cash strapped Leopards at the beginning of the season but have failed to make an impact at the Gotv Shield winners who are 10th in the KPL standings having started the campaign as joint-title favourites.

With the exit of the two, the Dockers are expected to be busy in the transfer window the ends on the second of July to seek their replacements.

‘’For now, we still haven’t signed anyone because the Board is yet to receive the technical report from the coach. Once that is done then we will know the way forward,” the official added.

Poor performance led to the sacking of Twahir Muhiddin as head coach and Kennedy Odhiambo being appointed as the care taker coach. Reports have recently emerged that the coastal team is looking for foreign coach something that Oduor has denied.

“Kennedy is still our head coach until the board of trustees gives us the way forward,” insisted the team manager.

 

-Report by Godfrey Ashiali and John Kyanda

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AFC Leopards Kenyan Premier League football Transfer

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