On 21 November 2018, AFC Leopards coach Nikola Kavazovic said the club’s 2018/2019 SportPesa Premier League campaign would lean heavily on Zimbabwean striker Michelle Katsvairo and Rwandese goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye.
Katsvairo, who was on loan at Tanzanian side Singida United from South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, played the full 90 minutes as Leopards drew 1-1 with second-tier side Wazito in a preseason friendly at Camp Toyoyo grounds. Ndayishimiye, meanwhile, had just arrived in the country and watched from the sidelines.
Kavazovic said the striker had done enough to earn a deal. “He (Katsvairo) satisfied me in the 90 minutes, he will get the contract,” the Serbian coach said.
The 43-year-old, who had replaced Argentine Rodolfo Zapata earlier that month, also indicated that more arrivals were coming, though he declined to name them. “We’ve more signings but it remains an internal club secret. Some players who were there last season and are not in this team now are not in my plans,” he said.
Veteran forward Ezekiel Odera was absent from training and did not feature in the friendly, adding to signs that the squad was being trimmed and rebuilt for the new season.
Leopards had already released Ghanaian Prince Arkoh, striker Ray Omondi, defender Marcus Abwao and midfielder Clyde Senaji at the end of the previous season. The 13-time SPL champions also lost Kenya Under-23 defender Michael Kibwage to newly promoted Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
At the same time, the club promoted striker Clark Achuka from the youth side. Leopards were set to open the season against SportPesa Shield winners Kariobangi Sharks on December 8 in Machakos.
Kavazovic said the youth setup would remain part of his plans, with assistant coach Marko Vasiljevic and club legend Boniface Ambani taking charge of the fifth-tier team. “We have decided to focus on our youth team and I will be bringing in two or three players from the youth team every day to train with the seniors so as to get experience,” he said.
