Whispers Wire

AFC Leopards unveiled their new jerseys today over a heavy defeat against FC Talanta at the Dandora Stadium. Normally, football clubs believe in unveiling new kits after winning a match, but for AFC Leopards, this was unfortunate after a long wait for the Singapore-made Mafro jersey designs. It has been a week of mixed reactions and feelings both to the Ingwe players and fans as a whole. First, it started by the players boycotting training citing non-payment of their December salaries. The team\’s management came to aid and on Thursday paid each player Fifteen Thousand Kenya Shillings but the players still refused to train claiming they needed their dues in full. Later on the teams management intervened and the players agreed to train on Friday.On the same Friday the Club unveiled their new set of kits produced by a Singaporean brand named Mafro. Mixed reactions from fans roomed their social media pages with disappointment over the nonpayment of salaries and joy over the unveiling of the arrival of the new kits. Come match day, the players arrived in their new cuts and of course with more excitement to unveil the kits with a win. Things seemed to be working right as Boniface Munyendo capitalized on the captain Clifton Miheso attack which the Talanta defender failed to clear gifting the Fred Ambani-coached side the opening goal in the 11th minute into the match. The celebrations could not last as Talanta\’s Kevin Owino\’s direct free kick leveled the scores three minutes later to pile pressure on Afc. Still not done with the Leopards, Alex Kipruto converted into the net from a Machaka punched-back shot ensuring Talanta the lead in the 27th minute of the match. Bach from the break in the 50th minute, Talanta striker Emmanuel Osoro pressed high, capitalized on Ingwe\’s goalkeeper Katasi error during the build-up from the back, and scored the third goal in an empty net. As goes the saying it is never over until it is over, Talanta\’s Alex Kipruto pounced on a failed clearance from an Afc Leopards defender making a solo effort and putting the ball inside the net to ensure a sealed match for Talanta and four goals for his team. Afc Leopards Maxwell Odongo rose to stage to try and salvage matters as he scored the Leopards second goal but it was too late as the referee clocked his watch to signal the end of the match and a defeat to the Leopards.    

The Confederation of African Federation Champions League (CAF CL) last group matches are being played today but the African football atmosphere shifts to Tanzania as Young Africans host Mc Algers in a decider match. The high stake match will be played at the Benjamin Mkapa stadium today Saturday 4:00 pm EAT. Mc Alger rank second in the group with 8 points.Young Africans on the other hand rank third with 7 points. It is a must win match to the Tanzanian side as a win of any kind seals them through the group stage to the quarter finals. Mc Alger are a foot ahead and they only need a point to proceed to the quarters. The two clubs previously met in the CAF Confederations Cup way back in 2017 where Mc Alger bundled out Yanga. CAF CONF Aprili 8, 2017 Yanga SC 1-0 MC Alger Aprili 15, 2017 MC Alger 4-0 Yanga SC The previous meeting was during the 1st leg fixture in the Champions League in Algers and Mc Alger won the match by two goals. CAF CL MC Alger 2-0 Yanga SC Throughout the week Yanga have been mobilising all the fans in Tanzania making it clear to them that they have a business to seal at the Mkapa Stadium. Will they make it count ? \”Let me make it clear, it will be a very difficult game, it will be a game that will use a lot of energy, it is a game with a lot of pressure, but I believe that my young people can withstand those rushes. we are going to light the fire from the first minute to the last whistle\” Young Africans Sc Coach Sead Ramovic Assistant Captain Dickson Job also insisted on the same, confirming it to be a tough and important match. “The players are ready for the game tomorrow, we know it will be a difficult game and every player should be mentally ready to be able to withstand the pressure of the game, attention is what we players should emphasize, we know if you make a mistake in an important match like this it can cost the team so it is very important to increase attention\” Other matches that will be played today are as follows ; CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 15:00 TP Mazembe – Al-Hilal Omdurman 18:00 Al Ahly – Orlando Pirates 18:00 CR Belouizdad – Stade d\’Abidjan 21:00 Esperance Tunis – Sagrada Esperanca 21:00 Pyramids FC – Djoliba