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Ingwe have unveiled four players as they seek to end their 26-year-wait for the FKFPL title.
AFC Leopards have unveiled four new players as they prepare for the 2024/2025 FKF Premier League (FKFPL) season, with the ambition of ending their 26-year wait for the league title. The club has announced the signings of South Sudan national team captain Peter Maker Manyang Mabok, Julius Masaba, Sydney Lokale, and Samwel Semo.
Peter Maker Manyang Mabok, with 24 caps for his country, brings a wealth of international experience to the squad. His career includes stints with Amarat United in Juba, Zesco United in Zambia, Radnicki Mitrovica in Serbia, and Al Dhara in Dubai.
Expressing his excitement about joining AFC Leopards, Mabok said, "To all the AFC Leopards fans, I can’t wait to see you all in the stadium on Sunday. You're the best fans in the country, and I’m looking to enjoy this season with you."
Julius Masaba, another key signing, joins from FKFPL side Kariobangi Sharks on a two-year contract.
The former Ligi Ndogo and Black Stars forward reflected on his past with the club, saying, "I once played for the AFC Leopards Under-20 in 2013, which made me want to come back to the senior side. My late dad was a big fan of the club, and it is a dream come true for me. I feel at home."
Samwel Semo has also joined the Leopards on a two-year contract, arriving from FKFPL side Murang’a Seal. Semo expressed his pride in the move, stating, "I am delighted to make this move. AFC Leopards is one of the biggest clubs in the country, the best-supported team in the league with very passionate fans. It also has a very rich history."
Rounding out the new signings is Sydney Lokale, who has signed a one-year contract with AFC Leopards.
The 23-year-old center forward, who has previously played for Kariobangi Sharks, HIFK in Finland, KCB FC, and FC Saint Eloi Lupopo in Congo, is eager to make an impact. "I feel happy and grateful to join this great club with a very rich history. I am glad to be here with good teammates and staff. I look forward to contributing to this amazing team," Lokale said.
With these new additions, AFC Leopards are bolstering their squad in pursuit of FKFPL glory, signaling their intent to challenge for the title in the upcoming season.
Head coach Thomas Trucha, who guided Ingwe to a fifth-place finish with 51 points after joining the club mid-season, shared his expectations for the new players. "We aim to start strong, like last season. I believe we are ready. The players know what's at stake, which is encouraging," he noted.
However, Trucha expressed some disappointment with how the transfer window panned out. Despite securing key signings like Peter Masaba and Samwel Semo, the club missed out on other targets. "I submitted my list of players to the management by May. Unfortunately, most were not signed. However, we found decent replacements and I believe the team is better than last season," he said.
The Czech coach acknowledged the balance of opportunities and challenges that come with new signings. "It's a 50-50 situation. We signed quality players, but I believe we could have signed even more, given our ambitions," Trucha added.
With a mix of optimism and caution, AFC Leopards enter the new season with a reinforced squad and a clear goal: to end their long title drought and bring glory back to the club.
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