AFC Leopards assistant head coach Tom Juma has tipped the club’s right back Omar Somobwana to return to the den with more polished claws at the end of the season. The youngster was loaned out to Coastal Heroes in a move aimed at giving him exposure and playing time that wasn’t coming his way at the club. Kenyan defender named in CAF Champions League Team of The WeekLeopards acquired the promising player in January 2020 shortly after he completed his studies at St. Peters, Mumias High School but the competition for playing time saw him leave on loan to Heroes where he has been featuring in their league matches.Somobwana faced competition for playing time from first choice right back Lewis Bandi and the experienced Collins Shivachi who have been playing regularly under coach Patrick Aussems.Juma said the Leopards bench was closely monitoring his progress at Heroes and were convinced that he will be part of their plan next season. “He is doing well down at the Coast and hopefully, he will have garnered some experience as well as enough exposure to compete next season. We have been keeping a close eye on him and his progress has been good. I think he will return a better player who will compete with the rest for playing time,” said the former Kenyan international.The return of the national U20 Rising Stars player will certainly come as a boost to the club that is still grappling to clear its name from FIFA’s red list. Leopards were recently barred from registering and using their new players for failing to clear with their former foreign players.The club had acquired Cliff Nyakeya, Josphat Lopaga, John Makwata and Victor Omune who all were signed in the mid-season transfer window.
