Inside Victor Omune's Ingwe push to fulfil father's dream

 AFC Leopards SC captain Victor Omune(with ball) in a past action. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

When AFC Leopards SC won the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) trophy in 1998, three-quarters of the current club’s playing unit were not yet born. We are out to break this 28-year-old jinx this season.

These are the words of AFC Leopards captain Victor Omune, who has declared that the KPL trophy is theirs to lose this season.

“Actually, I want to win the league so I can fulfil my father’s dream. He was an ardent Leopards fan even though his vision to feature for Ingwe did not see the light of day,” underlined Omune.

The prolific skipper feels the team has the grit and momentum to nestle the elusive cup this season, owing to the good run that has seen the club go five matches unbeaten and perched second on the standings on 37 points.

“Ingwe will win the league, and this should be a wake-up call to our rivals, Gor Mahia FC, who we are planning to dislodge from the title race in our second leg meeting. We beat them in the first leg and the second leg dose will be administered with equal measure,” Omune said.

When asked about areas that he feels Ingwe should strengthen as they go for the jugular in the league, Omune said: “We already have a very good team this season. I don’t think there is any club that can match that. All our departments are working. As players, we only need to believe that we can lift the trophy. Actually, we have everything, so mental toughness is what we should cultivate.”

The lastborn of a family of four siblings has hailed his mission to captain Leopards in the ongoing league, noting that it’s such a big privilege and a great honour to be entrusted with the armband to guide a club of Ingwe’s calibre.

Omune is hopeful that he will one day extend his leadership skills to the national team Harambee Stars, where he has five caps.

“My ultimate goal in football is to feature in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. That’s my target. I can’t wait to get a call-up to Harambee Stars for that. I’m very eager to represent Kenya at the continental football showpiece,” he declared.

“My best moment in football was earning my first call-up to the Harambee Stars in 2023, and it has been a privilege to feature in five matches for the national team.

“Playing for the badge against formidable sides, including against Iran, Mauritius (Four Nations Tournament), Pakistan, Zimbabwe (AFCON Qualifiers), and Namibia (AFCON Qualifiers) was very fulfilling. I’m already working tirelessly to go back to those levels, with focus on AFCON 2027,” Omune noted.

Some of the most challenging matches that Omune has engaged in this season with Ingwe are the clashes against APS Bomet FC and against Shabana FC. Leopards rallied from behind to nip a late 2-1 victory in both fixtures.

“Both opponents got their chances, which they utilised quite early, but as I said, self-belief and mental toughness are what saw us through those jungles.”

The Ingwe attacking midfielder says Brazilian Ronaldinho is his greatest inspiration in the sport as he was mesmerised by the Brazilian's ability to decide the course of the game while growing up.

Highlighting challenges he is facing as a sportsman, Omune says the local top-tier league is yet to gain prominent exposure that will attract top clubs from across the globe, even though he feels the league is in the right direction, with current community clubs Gor, Ingwe, Shabana and Muranga Seal occupying the top four places of the standings.

“There are also issues with finances, as some players in the league are struggling to make ends meet. It is sometimes disheartening to see a premier player locked out of their house by the landlord because they cannot pay Sh5000 rent.”

Some of the benefits Omune says he has reaped from playing football include endless travelling, socialisation, enjoyment of amazing fitness levels, meeting and interacting with very influential individuals who have impacted his life for the better.

After his active football years, Omune is already preparing to be a business mogul as he has already thrust himself in that sector. And on this note, he is advising young and upcoming players to have a career which they can use to top up with football.

“Keep focus, work hard, use the internet to improve your football skills, but more so, embrace education.

“Some of the chartered waters of football you will need education to help you navigate the journey. Als,o try to have a side hustle as a footballer’s career is quite short, also this will protect you from other calamities like injuries that might bring your career to a sudden halt,” he advised.

His prediction against Posta Rangers whom they are clashing with this weekend at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturda,y is that the rivals should prepare for a 2-0 defeat as Ingwe is out to march towards the KPL trophy glory.

Asked about the secret to their good run in the season, Omune, who turned 33 last Saturday, said: “The team has gelled well over the period. We also have full support from our sponsors. This has given us players peace of mind, as our job is now to concentrate on the pitch to dig out good results.

“We also have very lucrative match-winning bonuses that are offered by the sponsors. This has kept the players on their toes as no one wants to miss out on them. This has inspired and motivated the squad to stretch beyond limits to forage for victory in the fixtures.

“Actually, we appreciate the role played by our sponsors to make the team stable and a contender for the throne.  As players, we have been given everything; it’s just upon us now to continue showing up and bringing the needed results. And I believe we will win the league because of this amazing support.”

The father of one has also taken time to hail their sponsors who recently won the Blask Award’s Operator of the Year- Kenya, and Consumer Engagement and Brand Leader of the Year-Kenya, saying the leading gaming firm really deserves the two accolades due to their role in taking Kenya’s sports to the next level.

“It’s a big congratulations to our sponsors. I urge them to continue harnessing and tapping the talents of upcoming players, especially through their nationwide sporting extravaganza BingwaFest. There is so much talent at the grassroots, where we have so many future stars that are waiting,” Omune highlighted.

Omune’s sentiments have been further reaffirmed by group CEO Mutua Mutava, who stated: "This recognition affirms the immense efforts we have dedicated to connecting with customers and evolving alongside them. This year, we anticipate offering an even more exciting range of projects and experiences for them.”

“We recognise there are still gaps to close and processes to refine. This recognition gives us momentum. Not complacency. We will continue to raise our standards, strengthen our systems and most importantly, protect the trust we have earned.”

When asked ways in which their sponsor can explore to support Kenyan sports away from funding Leopards and BingwaFest extravaganza, Omune thinks they are already doing well with the kind of support they are providing to elevate Kenyan sports, which speaks for itself.

“BingwaFest is already touching lives at the grassroots; it’s a whole ecosystem that not only benefits sportsmen and women, but entertainers (DJs), hospitality industry (hotels), transport sector (boda boda and taxis), revellers (fans and spectators), among others. So, to me, they are in the right direction,” Omune stated.

UTILITIES

PLAYERS PROFILE

Name: Victor Omune

Age: 33 years

Club: AFC Leopards SC

Role: Forward (Attacking midfielder)

Honors:

KPL Top 8 Championship with Muhoroni Youth FC (2016)

-Harambee Stars Call-Up against Iran, Mauritius (Four Nations Tournament), Pakistan, Zimbabwe (AFCON Qualifiers) and Namibia (AFCON Qualifiers)

- Ingwe Club top scorer for the last three KPL seasons

Previous Clubs:

2008-2014: Kariobangi Sharks FC Div One and NSL)

2014: Mahakama FC

2015: AFC Leopards SC

2016: Muhoroni Youth FC

2017: Nairobi Stima FC

2017- 2020: KCB FC