Former AFC Leopards midfielder Reginald Asibwa has outlined key areas the team’s new management needs to improve on if they are to stand a chance of ending their 29-year-wait without a Kenyan Premier League trophy.
Ingwe’s last Premier League trophy came in 1998. Despite the new office under chairman Boniface Ambani promising to end the drought, the club’s 2025/26 campaign started on the wrong footing after they drew 1-1 against Sofapaka on Saturday.
With 12 top-flight league titles to their name, AFC Leopards is Kenya’s third most successful club behind Tusker FC (13 titles) and Gor Mahia (21 titles), the latter with whom they regularly contest in the Mashemeji Derby.
However, their dismal performances in recent years have seen them miss out on the coveted trophy, with rivals Gor Mahia dominating alongside Tusker. Since the last time AFC Leopards won the trophy, Gor Mahia have gone on to win it nine times.
AFC cannot continue participating without ambitions
While AFC Leopards drew 0-0 against Sofapaka, their rivals Gor Mahia started their campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat against Bidco United, while Tusker lost 2-0 against KCB.
According to Asibwa, who won the league title with AFC Leopards in the late 80s and 90s, the playing unit must be told why playing for the team’s badge is very important, and what it means to win the top-flight.
“I think a code of conduct needs to be put in place or established for the players to acquaint themselves with the team's history, the origin of this club, the achievements and targets and where we want to be,” Asibwa told Flashscore.
“A lot needs to be done if indeed we expect to improve in our upcoming matches. I want to state the following regarding this season vis-a-vis our team. I think all the personnel that have a role to play in or around the team or club need to be spot on or focused on winning the league this season and not next season.
“We cannot continue participating in the league without ambitions. We as legends will be coming over to talk to the playing unit with a view of instilling that winning mentality in the playing unit.”
He added: “We need warriors at AFC Leopards ready to fight tooth and nail, to grind results, those that are ready to die with their boots on, soldiers! Those with character, big hearted ones.”
Asibwa further remembered how, during their time, using nicknames helped them to grind out positive results. Asibwa played for Ingwe alongside the likes of Mickey ‘T9’ Weche.
“During our time, we had nicknames, one had to play like his nickname, ‘T9’ meant that one was daring and fearless making it hard for a striker to go past you, ‘Bulldozer’, meant that when things or systems don’t work, you had to employ the bulldozer traits or rather force to score.
“Nicknames ensured that a player was to be consistent, you had to train hard to fulfil that. Ingwe players need to undergo an orientation, or rather a familiarisation exercise so as to acquaint themselves with the huge expectations that await them, the pressure that comes with playing for AFC Leopards.”
Asibwa wants stakeholders meetings convened
Asibwa further called on the club’s top hierarchy to regularly plan stakeholders meetings with players in a bid to help and enlighten them on how to handle the pressure, while at the same time grinding out positive results.
“Since we have no official club booklet, I think the club should organise town hall meetings of stakeholders that can give the players motivational speeches, enlightening them on how to handle the pressure at the same time grinding results,” explained Asibwa.
“Matters discipline and the way AFC Leopards players need to conduct themselves is of the essence. Terminologies like “it was just a game,” were banned during our days and winning, although not the only thing, remained the most important factor.”
He concluded: “I can go on and on but the draw against Sofapaka was a poor result, losing two points which is unacceptable. It is not possible to change the past, let’s dust ourselves up, hold our heads high and ensure that we win forthcoming matches.”
AFC Leopards’ matchday two fixture will be against Posta Rangers on October 3rd.
