To be successful, Leopards must spend

AFC Leopards' National Executive Committee (NEC) must be ready to spend money to get at least three players to add to the current squad.

Nothing comes for free; if you want the best, you have to spend some coins otherwise you will be forced to find other ways to fight.

During this June transfer market, Ingwe must bring on board two strikers of the calibre of Thika United’s Eugene Mukangula and Elvis Rupia of Nzoia FC.

Mukangula is among the players, who have written to FKF seeking release letters after the club failed to pay them for three months.

The same has happened to Chemelil where 14 players left the team to join others clubs because they have not been paid for several months.

Leopards suffered the same fate in 2015 when half of the team left.

As we fight to be the best of the rest, there is a need for at least one central defender as a back-up for Salim Abdalla and Robinson Kamura, who have slightly improved in their partnership.

For Ingwe to have a squad capable of competing both locally and abroad, the team must be ready to spend money like Gor Mahia, Tusker FC, Sofapaka and even Kakamega Homeboyz.

The four SportPesa Premier League sides have been able to disrupt Ingwe because they have been able to spend big.

The arrival of Saad Musa from Thika United and the return of Edwin Seda following the expiry of his contract with Mathare United is good news to Ingwe supporters.

Musa, a former Azam Youth team player, impressed when Ingwe played Thika United.

But Ingwe must not always look for players on free transfer. Cheap is expensive! This has been the habit at the Den for the last five years.

Leopards is one of the most recognised clubs in Africa with six million supporters, and a history of identifying young talents compared to our noisy neighbours who goes for names.

I was impressed with the display against a complicated Chemelil Sugar on Saturday, but the boys failed to utilise many chances especially in the first half, with Jaffrey Odeny Owiti being the main culprit.

Ingwe dominated the ball possession, but again the finishing quality is still wanting.

The new boy, Clyde Senaji will go places if he keeps his form. The young lad proved to a very good ball juggler with very powerful shots.

But Ingwe seriously need a striker to allow Whyvonne Isuza go back to his position in the midfield.

Brian Marita who has maintained his good form from the right wing can be very useful if his crosses can be landing to a good finisher.

For not willing to spend a few years back, Ingwe failed to land Meddie Kagere, Godfrey Walusimbi and Geoffrey “Baba” Kizito who later joined K’Ogalo.

Time has come when Ingwe needs to reclaim its former glory, the time a lot of success was witnessed, the time players were satisfied, motivated and fans were perpetually happy.

The new coach, Rodolfo Zapata who has introduced flowing football should be guaranteed a full strength Ingwe squad, while fans must resume attending matches in large numbers to boost the gate revenue that has reduced.

Ingwe aren’t the strongest team in the league at the moment, but if we get two experienced strikers, the boys can win the league this season.