Isuza keen to help AFC Leopards find their roar

Whyvonne Isuza of Mathare United FC celebrates scoring against Ulinzi Stars FC during their Sportpesa Premier League match at the Nyayo National stadium on July 02, 2016. Mathare United FC won 1-0.

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side and local giants AFC Leopards’ January acquisition Whyvonne Isuza says he hopes to bring the swagger back at the Den when the new season gets underway.

The Leopards, whose rich history helped lure the midfielder away from Mathare United endured a nightmare 2016 campaign as they went on to finish 13th and four points clear of the relegation zone.

Also Read: Robben signs one-year extension at Bayern Munich

But Isuza, who finished first runners up in the KPL Midfielder of the Year category at the 2016 Footballer of the Year Awards held in mid December is keen to have their pride restored.


“I left Mathare because I wanted a new challenge in my career. For the last three years in which I’ve spent at the club, it’s felt like home. It feels sad (I’m leaving) but I had to take up a new challenge.

“I want to improve my football skills. Leopards have great players and talented midfielders so that offers me healthy competition. In the end it’s all about getting better,” Isuza told Citizen Digital.

Isuza scored six times for the Slum Boys as he led the club to a seventh finish in the KPL log under the leadership of veteran tactician Francis Kimanzi.

And he is already relishing the prospect of working with his new coach, Englishman Stewart Hall.

“He is great coach who is well respected in the region; his success with Azam during the Cecafa Club Championship in 2015 is definitely something that is fresh in the minds of many Kenyans because they defeated our arch rivals Gor Mahia in the final. So, when the opportunity presented itself to work with him, I could not resist,” Isuza added.

“The fans should expect 100 percent from me and sure they will be smiling once again to the stadium.”

His move follows that of teammate Robinson Kamura, Abdalla Shitu (Posta Rangers), Dennis Shikhaya (Western Stima), Mike Wanyika (Kakamega Homeboyz) and Ibrahim Mao (Sofapaka).
Others who have already moved to the Den are midfielder Duncan Otieno (Posta Rangers) as well as striker Vincent Ouma.