Malian Forward Ismaila Diarra Headlines AFC Leopards 7 New Signings

21st July 2019

The 2019/20 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) season kicks off on Friday, August 30 and the Leopards first assignment will be an away fixture against local rivals Kakamega Homeboyz FC

Soter Kayumba (left), Ismaila Diarra (second from left), Benjamin Ochan (GK) and Tresor Ndikumana (right) pose for a picture after being confirmed as new AFC Leopards SC players. PHOTO | AFCLeopardsTwitter
Soter Kayumba (left), Ismaila Diarra (second from left), Benjamin Ochan (GK) and Tresor Ndikumana (right) pose for a picture after being confirmed as new AFC Leopards SC players. PHOTO | AFCLeopardsTwitter
SUMMARY
  • AFC Leopards SC confirmed seven new signings on Sunday as head coach Andre Casa Mbungo and his assistant, former Harambee Stars international Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani look to be getting their house in order ahead of the new season
  • Veteran Malian forward Ismaila Diarra headlines the list of new signings made by the second most successful Kenyan club as the seasoned forward penned a contract with the club
  • Leopards finished last season in 11th place on 43 points and look to be shaping up to contest for a first Kenyan league title since 1998

NAIROBI, Kenya- AFC Leopards SC confirmed seven new signings on Sunday as head coach Andre Casa Mbungo and his assistant, former Harambee Stars international Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani look to be getting their house in order ahead of the new season.

The 2019/20 SportPesa Premier League (SPL) season kicks off on Friday, August 30 and the Leopards first assignment will be an away fixture against local rivals Kakamega Homeboyz FC in a Western derby at the Bukhungu Stadium.

Veteran Malian forward Ismaila Diarra headlines the list of new signings made by the second most successful Kenyan club as the seasoned forward penned a contract with the club.

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From the back, Ugandan goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan is the new custodian to join the SPL side. He has previously played locally with the likes of KCCA FC and a stint both in South Africa and Denmark, he joins the club on a one-year deal.

Robert Mudenyu joins from Sony Sugar FC, who finished 13 points above Leopards in fifth last season, and the sturdy centre-back even managed three goals throughout the campaign.

Nzoia Sugar FC are the other SPL side who were raided by Leopards and had to surrender the services of arguably one of their best players Hansel Ochieng’, who will be at the den for a minimum of two years.

AFC Leopards also confirmed the signing of another defender in Soter Kayumba, who also signed a two-year deal.

Rwandese defensive midfielder Tresor Ndikumana and his compatriot Vincent Habamahoro also both signed two-year deals with the SPL side.

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Leopards finished last season in 11th place on 43 points and look to be shaping up to contest for a first Kenyan league title since 1998.

The news of the signings comes a day after the entire AFC Leopards family joined the entire Kenyan football fraternity in laying their former player and legend Joe Kadenge to rest in Vihiga County.

Kadenge passed away on the morning of Sunday, July 7 and will forever be remembered for his undeniable love and contribution to Kenyan football.