'He is a game changer' - AFC Leopards praise influential midfielder after another star showing

AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has spoken in glowing terms about his midfielder Tyson Otieno, following his latest string of performances that have left the club in with a chance of claiming its first FKF Premier League title in 28 years.

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Ambani, speaking after Ingwe’s 1-0 victory over Nairobi United on Wednesday, 18 March, termed the 28-year-old as a “game-changer”, who was now proving his doubters wrong with an incredible first season at the den.

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Recalling the moment Leopards settled for Otieno’s signature in September last year, Ambani said there were a few individuals who did not understand his signing, but do now.

“When I first said the inclusion of Tyson in this team was very important, some people did not understand me,” Ambani said. “But they are now seeing his importance.”

So timely were Ambani’s words, as they came on a day when Otieno added another goal contribution to lift Ingwe to their 13th win of the season - a result that trimmed the club’s gap to the top to seven points, and with 10 games remaining to the end of the season.

It was from Otieno’s timely pass in the 12th minute that Samuel Ssenyonjo scored on Wednesday, marking his fourth assist of the season, to go with his two goals scored so far this campaign.

Speaking of Otieno’s contribution, Ambani said: “Tyson is a game changer. The good thing here is that he has found a striker who can make runs into spaces and half-spaces, where he loves to play the ball.

He has done a good job, and his combination with Ssenyonjo is bearing fruit.”

Missing key men in their starting eleven, Leopards earned full marks for grinding out the hard-fought win over Naibois, who Ambani praised for staging a decent contest.

“It was not easy,” Ambani said post-match. “As you saw, Nairobi United are a good team, with good players and a good coach.

Huge thanks to my players, who despite the many injuries in the team, pushed to the limits.

I told them that it cannot be everyday that there are some players who are playing, and others are not, and I am glad they all showed up today.”

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Among the key players who missed Wednesday’s game included the trusted center back pairing of Kayci Odhiambo and Emmanuel Lwangu, to go along with long-term absentees Elias Mugane and winger Maxwell Otieno.

To further compound issues, goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi hobbled off with an apparent lower-leg injury in the second-half, forcing Ambani to summon second-choice James Ssetuba from the bench.

Asked about Katasi’s status, Ambani said: “Got no idea. We’ll have to check on his condition with the medics later, and know what next.”

On Ssetuba’s cameo, he added: “The last game [a 4-1 defeat to Mathare United] he conceded, and it was not down to his mistakes. His confidence however went down a bit, so that’s why we made the change. When he came in, he did a good job. There were moments when Nairobi United threatened, but he did well to keep us on top.”

Leopards next face Tusker on Sunday, 22 March.