Twelve-time Kenyan champions AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems says he hopes to have new players on board when his team takes on KCB in their second league match of the season, on 16th October.Leopards, who lost most of the first team players they had last season started the campaign with a depleted squad because they are currently serving a transfer ban and couldn’t replace the departed. They however shocked many when they defeated holders Tusker FC in week one, in Thika on 25th November.Ingwe are working towards having their transfer ban lifted by FIFA. The embargo was slapped on the team for failing to pay their former coach Andre Casa Mbungo and three ex-players namely Soter Kayumba, Vincent Habamahoro, and Tressor Ndikumana. They have since paid the tactician and are now working to clear with the players.The eagle has landed! 🦅Welcome back, @PatrickAussems 🤝#Ingwe pic.twitter.com/2dLhitpq6i— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) October 2, 2021 Coach Aussems is now working towards new signings and he says he hopes to have them on board for Saturday’s game against the Bankers who lost their opener to Gor Mahia.”I really hope that in the next game against KCB we will be able to play with the new players,” he told Madgoat TV.Despite getting the win against the Brewers, Aussems admits that the team, as currently constituted cannot compete in the league this campaign.”We also need to be totally honest with ourselves. We can compete with this team because a season is a marathon. We need to improve this team with a few experienced players. We need a keeper, a defender, a midfielder and a striker,” he continued.The tactician further hopes that the transfer embargo issue will be resolved in the next few days.”We have this issue of Fifa case that is being solved. I really hope that in the next game against KCB we will be able to play with the new players”.CLUB UPDATE Our next Football Kenya Federation Premier League match will be played on 16th October at Utalii Sports Ground against @KCBFootballMeanwhile the club will be holding a fundraiser on 30th September 2021 (tomorrow) at United Kenya Club #OursForever pic.twitter.com/MO97HB9tvX— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) September 29, 2021 Leopards have already identified new players for signing. They include three of former players: Clifton Miheso, Duncan Otieno and John Makwata. Former Kariobangi Sharks defender John Kuol and Vihiga United keeper Morgan Alube are also being considered.
