It's a happy ending for Ingwe

It was a happy ending for the reigning FKL champions and Kenya's most supported club AFC Leopards when they walloped the now relegated side Agro Chemicals 2-0 at Muhoroni to share point spoils with KCB at 34 each. The two goals came in the first half through former international Charles Okwemba and veteran Francis Xavier in his first match after a three game suspension. Ingwe has thus finished the season at position 13 out of 16 just below the bankers due to a superior goal difference.But the big news is the team's resilience that has enabled the brand new squad amass a massive 24 points in the second half of the seaon. It was a gamble that has worked wonders after the brave AFC management went against all the odds to flush out 21 former players and replace them with new recruits to hit the road before the much needed jellying. As if the new outfit was not shocking enough, the management went on to replace the stand in coach Edward Manoah with Nick Yakhama and confirmed Harambee Stars coach Twahir Muhiddin as the technical director. By then, the club was deeply rooted at the basement with 10 points after 15 matches and many pundits had written off Ingwe and predicted its "eminent" death. But the words of the club's Secretary General Richard Ekhalie that relegation does not exist in the club's dictionary have come to pass as the team has emerged as a major force to reckon with and to watch next season. Playing with more confidence and purpose, the team has rightful earned the most improved and promising club in the KPL with the sky being the obvious limit.With a cup to boot and millions of passionate fans following the club, AFC Leopards is the team to beat next season with the ability to add the KPL cup to its collection.(posted on 23/11/09)