AFC Leopards can feel proud that after a shaky start to the season, they have ended the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) first leg placed 5th on the log with just eight points off leaders and arch rivals Gor Mahia. “We are satisfied with the performance. We started with some difficulties, but we managed to survive the storm,” the club’s chairman Dr Dan Shikanda told Mozzart Sport.Ingwe, as Leopards are nicknamed, commenced the season with a depleted squad after ten of their new recruits were rejected and could not be registered due to a prevailing FIFA transfer ban. AFC Leopards fans earlier today.Ingwe beat KCB 1-0.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/6n5AvsOGrP— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) February 26, 2023 Yet, four of the players including speedy winger Cliff Nyakeya, who has been a key figure in the squad would later be registered, giving coach Patrick Aussems more options.”We were thrown off balance, having in mind that these were players we had worked with in preseason and were hoping to use in the league. But I’m happy that we have managed to catch up well.” AFC Leopards aim to carry league form to the Mozzart Bet CupWith 17 matches and more points to fight for in the second stanza of the season, it is safe to say that Leopards, just like Nzoia Sugar FC, Tusker FC, Police FC and KCB still stand a chance of lifting the 2022-23 FKFPL title.Yet, Shikanda is playing it cool, knowing the weight that comes with failing to win the coveted gong in close to three decades. “The key here is to remain competitive. As you know for a long time Leopards have not been competitive and have approached the big teams of the league such as Tusker and Gor Mahia as underdogs, but that has now changed. We can compete against any team in the league. Teams now fear us. If we can maintain that then I’m certain that even if we don’t win it this season then there’s a huge possibility next season.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7059751##With the FIFA transfer ban still in place, Leopards will not be able to bolster their squad during the current window, and will be able to do so in June.”The squad we have may not have that much depth, but we have full confidence in them, and I’m sure if we’re taken care of, they will continue to deliver.”The club is also seeking to return some players they loaned out, but Shikanda says the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has not been cooperative.
