Leopards seek revival against Sony
What you need to know:
- “The first real challenge on our hands is to arrest the slump. We badly need all the three points against Sony to move back into the top five,” Leopards striker Jacob Keli said.
- The Awendo-based side heads into the match buoyed by a 3-1 triumph over Chemelil Sugar last weekend.
- Zico will bank on Ugandan import Andrew Ssekyayombya, Edwin Oduor and Amos Asembekha for goals whilst veteran defender Sylverster Wanyama and upcoming goalkeeper Lucas Indeche will be called upon in defence.
AFC Leopards will Friday afternoon host Sony Sugar at the Nyayo Stadium in the first of eight Kenyan Premier League matches lined up this weekend.
But which Leopards side will turn up for this 3pm kick off fixture?
Could it be the highly charged team that matched Gor Mahia in all departments for a 1-1 draw three weeks ago, or the demoralised outfit that fired blanks and lost in the consequent games against Ushuru and Tusker?
“The first real challenge on our hands is to arrest the slump. We badly need all the three points against Sony to move back into the top five,” Leopards striker Jacob Keli said.
The points won’t come easy and Keli, an experienced player and top marksman for the club, should know better in view of recent challenges in the team’s camp. First, morale is at an all-time low at Leopards camp, thanks to financial challenges that have affected the team’s performance. Secondly, Leopards, currently lying ninth on the log, three positions behind Sony Sugar, head into the match as underdogs.
Sony, managed by former Gor Mahia star and Kenyan international Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno, have a knack of preserving their best for high profile fixtures.
UGANDA IMPORT
The Awendo-based side heads into the match buoyed by a 3-1 triumph over Chemelil Sugar last weekend. Zico will bank on Ugandan import Andrew Ssekyayombya, Edwin Oduor and Amos Asembekha for goals whilst veteran defender Sylverster Wanyama and upcoming goalkeeper Lucas Indeche will be called upon in defence.
Leopards coach Zdravko Logarusic will meanwhile be hoping dependable midfielder Bernard Man’goli and forwards Noah Wafula, Nigerian import Austin Ikenna and Micheal Khamati carry with them their scoring boots.
Meanwhile, former AFC Leopards chairman, Alfred Sambu has urged supporters to turn up in large numbers, saying it will help the cashstrapped club earn revenue from gate collection.
Sambu, who visited the players in training yesterday, said a committee put in place to raise funds for the club has identified a new sponsor.
“We’ve identified a sponsor to be unveiled next week. When I look back to my time at the club and I see you suffering, I feel bad,” he told the players.
The team put in place by Sambu (called rescue team) has former vice-chairman Walter Onyino and former international striker JJ Masiga, Pamella Lutta, among others.
Mumias Sugar terminated its sponsorship for the club end of last season and players have been skipping training sessions in protest over unpaid bonuses and salaries.
