Colorless twelve-time Kenyan champions AFC Leopards look to jump-start their flailing chase for a 13th title with a historically choppy encounter with bogey opposition Western Stima on Tuesday evening at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.Ingwe have a depleted squad owing to the ongoing CECAFA Under 23 championship in Bahir Dar Ethiopia, injuries and contractual disputes.The 1998 champions announced that Ochan Benjamin, Senaji Clyde, Hansel Ochieng, Said Tsuma and Oyemba John’s contracts had elapsed but the latter returned to feature on the bench against Tusker.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Ingwe assistant Tom Juma revealed that the team will not dwell on the torrid record against Stima but will train their focus on bagging maximum points.🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/9CdIIz6CdR— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) July 18, 2021 “We are going to approach the match just how we approach the others, the objective is the same, they are also looking to win the game and end their poor run,”“Over the years they have really challenged us, we are looking at previous results because the match on Tuesday is a chance for us to win, at AFC anything less than a win is not acceptable,” said Juma.In 22 league matches played since 2009, AFC Leopards have only emerged victorious on seven occasions with six matches being drawn between the two sides.Stima left it late in the last meeting between the two sides with Joseph Mukisa and Villa Oromchan scoring in the final minutes to hand Ingwe their first defeat of the season.Juma complained about the congested fixture schedule that has taken a toll on the players with Fabrice Mugheni, Jaffery Owiti, Said Tsuma and Brian Wanyama currently on the treatment table.AFC Leopards will also be starved of the services of Marvin Nabwire, Austin Odhiambo and Lewis Bandi who are currently with the Emerging Stars in the CECAFA U23 tourney.Stima comes into the match on a poor run having gone four games without a win since their victory over Gor Mahia with late goal coming to haunt them after leading matches for huge spells.Leopards will be wary of Rodgers Ouma who has been a real goal threat for Stima as he has netted three goals in the last five games.The match is slated for a 3:15 PM kick-off at the Nakuru ASK Grounds and will be live on Startimes.
