AFC Leopards are gearing up for a strong title challenge in the second half of the FKF Premier League season. However, head coach Fred Ambani has expressed concern over his team’s attacking struggles, which he believes could hinder their championship aspirations.
Ambani is growing increasingly frustrated with his forwards’ lack of efficiency in front of goal and has called for urgent improvement. The coach pointed out that his team’s top scorer has only managed four goals, a stark contrast to the league’s leading scorer, who has already netted 15 times.
“We have to pull up our socks because if our top scorer in the team has four goals while the leading goal scorer has 15 goals, that’s a cause for concern. These are the players I have, and it is a must that I help them rediscover their form,” Ambani stated.
AFC Leopards’ frontline consists of Sydney Lokale, Maxwell Otieno, and Brian Yakhama, but their combined goal tally stands at just seven. Lokale leads the pack with four goals, Otieno has contributed two, while Yakhama has only found the back of the net once. In comparison, Tusker’s Ryan Ogam has already scored 15 goals this season, highlighting the Leopards’ lack of firepower upfront.
Despite their struggles in attack, AFC Leopards have managed to score a total of 29 goals this season, making them the joint second-highest-scoring team in the league. Tusker leads the charts with 31 goals, indicating that while Leopards have found the net frequently, their reliance on other departments to contribute to goal-scoring is evident.
Ambani is determined to improve the efficiency of his strikers rather than seeking reinforcements in the transfer market, which is set to close later this month. His focus is on working with the current squad to refine their finishing and attacking play.
“What I’m keen on improving is the striking force,” Ambani emphasized, signaling his intent to develop the talent at his disposal instead of making last-minute signings.
Interestingly, despite their attacking woes, AFC Leopards have primarily focused on defensive reinforcements in the mid-season transfer window. The club recently signed goalkeeper James Ssetuba from Kakamega Homeboyz and defender Fredrick Alushula from Kariobangi Sharks, both on two-year deals. These additions suggest a strategy aimed at strengthening the backline while hoping that the current attacking players can step up their game.
With crucial fixtures ahead, including high-stakes encounters against title rivals Gor Mahia, Tusker, and Kenya Police, AFC Leopards must find a way to sharpen their attack. The competition at the top remains fierce, and any slip-ups could prove costly in the race for the championship.
If Ambani’s forwards can rediscover their scoring touch, the team stands a strong chance of making a serious push for the title. However, if their struggles in front of goal persist, their hopes of clinching the championship could be in jeopardy. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Leopards can turn their attacking frustrations into a title-winning campaign.
