Lack of depth runs deep at limping AFC

Former AFC Leopards' coach Ivan Minnaert reacts during their SportPesa Premier League match against Western Stima at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, on May 8, 2016. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Not even a third rate defender in the country’s lowest of leagues commits the sort of blunder that saw Ingwe concede that goal.
  • The fact that the coach has already released 13 guys ahead of the mid season transfer window tells you about the lack of depth in this team.

Another very disappointing performance from Ingwe, I must admit. Even the most pessimistic Ingwe fan would not have placed their bet on a struggling Thika United beating Ingwe on Saturday.

What is annoying is the manner Ingwe conceded their goals, especially the second one. Not even a third rate defender in the country’s lowest of leagues commits the sort of blunder that saw Ingwe concede that goal.

With some depth within our ranks, the defender who committed such blunder would have earned himself a one way ticket out of the club, now that the transfer window is fast approaching.

Yet we don’t have the luxury of such depth. It is the reason Ambulwa and his central defence partner Yakub Ramadhan have played virtually every match since the season started.

The fact that head coach Ivan Minnaert has as good as fired the other would be centre backs – Eric Masika, Israel Emuge, Ken Migunde and a fellow known as Opwora largely due to mediocrity – should tell you how weak we are in that particular department.

And not just that department, the defensive midfield is no better, with only Bernard Ongoma and Victor Omune – both average players by Ingwe’s standards - to count on.

Ingwe fans should ask themselves why guys like Kepha Aswani, Clifford Miheso, Simon Abuko, Andrew Tololwa and of all people Cresten Mwanzo have played virtually all the matches during the first leg of the season. The answer is simple; lack of depth.

In such situations, fatigue is set to creep in as the league wears on leading to under-performance, and that I suspect, is what is happening.

The fact that the coach has already released 13 guys ahead of the mid season transfer window tells you a narrative about the lack of depth in this team.

Because in the coach’s opinion, the 13 guys add no value to Ingwe, so he is better off over-fielding (if there is such a word) than risk giving them playtime.
Granted, the team appeared to be doing well at the start of the season but this boils down to two things.

One; the guys, many of them relatively unknown, thrived on the underdog tag to pull surprise victories.

Two, they were still very fresh so the element of fatigue was not there. But as the league progressed, fatigue crept in and two, other teams also mastered their game plan.

Opinion is divided out there as to whether Minnaert has the quality to manage a team of Ingwe’s caliber. Many are those who are beginning to doubt his credentials.

I maintain this has nothing to do with the coach’s credentials, it could have happened to any other coach, whether Guardiola or Diego Simeone.
The earlier we strengthen our team in the June transfer window, the better for all of us.