Departing AFC Leopards assistant captain wishes team luck ahead of new season

© AFC Leopards

FKFPL Departing AFC Leopards assistant captain wishes team luck ahead of new season

Festus Chuma 12:09 - 26.08.2023

The young defender seems to have no hard feelings following his exit from Ingwe and has wished the 12-time Kenyan champions well for the new campaign

Former AFC Leopards assistant captain Peter Thiong’o has bid an emotional farewell to his former club as they prepare for the highly-anticipated 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season opener this Sunday. 

Thiong'o, whose contract with the club was not renewed due to alleged leadership issues, took to social media to express his gratitude and well wishes.

The defender-cum-winger, known for his versatility on the field, left a heartfelt note to the club that had been his home since November 2020 when he joined from Kakamega Homeboyz. 

Despite his departure under somewhat contentious circumstances, the 23-year-old player maintained a positive outlook and extended his best wishes to his former teammates. 

"Thank you AFC Leopards for the time I have had there; love from the playing unit, technical staff, and the fans were great. I just want to wish the team the best of luck this season,” he wrote on his official Facebook page.

Thiong'o's journey with AFC Leopards reached its conclusion when the club decided not to renew his contract, citing concerns over his leadership during the closing stages of the previous season.

This decision also affected the former captain, Eugine Mukangula, who found himself in a similar situation.

The duo faced allegations of inciting fellow players to skip training sessions—an act deemed unacceptable by the club's management.

Sources revealed that Thiong'o and Mukangula took this route due to the impending expiration of their contracts.

The decision to reportedly influence other players not to attend training sessions might have been an attempt to secure their due payments before their potential departure.

Thiong'o's journey through Kenyan football has been a dynamic one as he previously played for Kakamega Homeboyz, a side he joined in 2018 from the National Super League outfit St Joseph's FC, before making the switch to Leopards in November 2020.

Known for his agility and adaptability on the field, Thiong'o's departure from Leopards leaves an undeniable void in their squad, despite the controversies surrounding his exit.

Ingwe is geared up to kick off the new season with a match against FC Talanta on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.