AFC Leopards winger Cliff Nyakeya is determined to step up as a key player for his team following a slow start to the season that has seen them earn only four points out of a possible 18.
Over the weekend, Ingwe suffered a 2-0 defeat to Gor Mahia, causing them to fall dangerously close to the relegation zone. This disappointing performance has left them with a significant amount of work to do in order to climb up the league standings.
Nyakeya was given the captain’s armband for the match but struggled to make a significant impact before being substituted for Jaffari Owiti during the second half.
Nevertheless, the former Mathare United winger remains optimistic about his ability to make a substantial contribution to AFC Leopards, especially since the season is still relatively short.
“For me, the team always comes first. I’d like to see the team secure wins and positive results, and from there, I can focus on my personal targets,” Nyakeya stated in an interview with Pulse Sports.
Nyakeya has set a bold goal for himself to become the player who consistently scores crucial goals for the team, ultimately helping them secure more victories.
“I’ll put in the hard work. When I score, I want it to be the game-winning goal. It’s not just about me scoring; it’s about us winning. If I score and we win, it’s a win for both the team and me.”
So far, AFC Leopards have not managed to secure a single victory this season, having drawn four matches and lost two out of their first six fixtures. In the two games leading up to the match against Gor Mahia, they squandered leads, which proved costly.
Against Police, they took the lead twice but failed to hold on, resulting in a draw at Kasarani. The same scenario played out a week later against Shabana at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, with Ingwe once again losing their lead.
In the game against their arch-rivals Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards struggled to find their rhythm, leading to a 2-0 defeat, with Benson Omala inspiring K’Ogalo to victory.
Currently, Leopards occupy the 17th position in the table, just three points ahead of the bottom-placed Sofapaka.
