NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 8 – Four more players have been dropped by AFC Leopards head coach Ivan Minnaert as the team looks to create room for fresh blood ahead of the second leg of the Kenyan Premier League.
Ivory Coast striker Lamin Diallo is among the latest casualties, coming through after Minnaert earlier axed 13 players.
Others who have been excluded from the team are defender Andrew Diego as well as midfielders Victor Omune and Hedmond Mauda.
This comes after the coach confirmed the capture of three new players, Harun Nyakha from Tusker FC, defender Charles Bruno from Sony Sugar and City Stars’ Ugandan winger Yussuf Suf.
“We have a squad of 16 players in training currently and today we have been joined by Nyakha. On Thursday, we expect Bruno to join us while next week, Yussuf will also join training. We are looking at bringing eight more players before the June transfer window closes,” The Belgian coach declared.
The team was forced to work with an under-strength team at the beginning of the season as they were unable to lure big names due to their then financial constraints.
Minnaert had been disappointed with Diallo, who could not perform the forward’s role as effectively as he wanted, to relegate him to the bench.
Diego saw his six-month stint at Leopards shadowed with injuries and could not stamp his authority in the team’s starting line-up despite beginning the season as the preferred left back.
The coach says he is stepping up efforts to sign his transfer targets but preferred to play his cards close to his chest.
“At the moment I cannot say anything because it is between the two clubs. We will only talk when we have signed them. Hopefully I can get the players I want,” Minnaert stated.
Malian striker Ismaila Diarra is a free agent after ending his contract with Rwandese side Rayon Sport and Capital Sport has leant that only financial agreement stands between him and a move to Leopards.
Ingwe has also been linked with two of their former players right-back Edwin Wafula and midfielder Bernard Mang’oli who, joined Coastal side Bandari FC in January, but have not settled in.
Former KCB and Gor Mahia forward Mungai Kiongera, who has left Tanzanian side Simba SC, is also on the club’s wish list.
Minnaert says if he manages to get his desired players, then he will be able to hunt for the league title that Leopards last won in1998.