AFC Leopards will kick off their 2023-24 FKF Premier League season minus their first-choice goalkeeper Levis Opiyo on Sunday.
Ingwe will launch their campaign to win the title that has eluded them since 1998 when they host FC Talanta at Kasarani Stadium. However, they will have to navigate the fixture minus the former Posta Rangers custodian after he confirmed his absence owing to an injury.
Though the 28-year-old Opiyo has resumed training with the rest of the squad, Sunday’s opener against Talanta and the second fixture of the season against KCB FC on September 13 will be too soon for the player, who confirmed the development on his social media pages by saying: “Glad to have resumed training yesterday (Wednesday), feels good, now it’s time to work hard and to be in shape,” Opiyo wrote, adding: “I will miss our first two to three opening season matches due to fitness, but I will work hard to be on selection soon.”
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In his absence, AFC will be called upon to rely on new signing Humphrey Katasi, who joined the Den from Nzoia Sugar in the current transfer window. In a recent interview, Ingwe coach Tom Juma stressed the importance of having his full squad fit and intact in a bid to challenge for the title and Opiyo’s absence will surely be a huge blow to the former Harambee Stars midfielders’ ambitions to open the campaign on a positive note.
Despite Ingwe ending last season without silverware, Opiyo was among the team’s stand-out players, managing 16 clean sheets in the top-flight, and was instrumental as they reached the semi-finals of the Mozzart Bet FKF Cup where they lost to eventual winners Kakamega Homeboyz.
Apart from Opiyo, AFC will also miss the services of influential midfielder Victor Omune, who has been ruled out of action for four months owing to a knee injury.