Leopards players should read this riot act carefully or else...

It is said three is a charm, but that did not work for Leopards in the match against Zoo Kericho after back-to-back losses to Gor and Sony Sugar. The match ended in a draw, with Fiamenyo scoring an equaliser. Zoo being league debutants and ‘whipping boys’, Leopards ought to have won or Zoo lost!

The draw reveals a dangerous trend that in all matches, except the three wins against Nakumatt, Muhoroni Youth and Thika United, Leopards concede first and have to ‘chase’ the game!

Obviously there is a laxity to soak in goals hoping for a comeback or tendency to settle for a draw which sometimes backfires like in the loss to Sony, who scored in the dying minutes of the game to bag the three points! Leopard’s tally so far, 4-4-2, not the formation of play but wins, losses and draws respectively!

Here is a quick reminder to Ingwe players; the leopard is a sprinter not a marathoner! The prey escapes if given a head start so leopards pounce at earliest opportunity. This notion of a comeback must be dropped immediately. There is no room for reactionary, ‘wait and see’ football at Ingwe. Henceforth score early, seal and secure the lead.

It is also annoying to see Leopards seemingly adopt a laissez faire attitude, playing with no pressure to win. The bar has been set rather low by a misinterpretation of coach Stewart Hall words that he is building a team for the future, a developmental side. For clarification purposes, AFC Leopards was established in 1964 and has a legacy to protect. The AFC under 20 team is the developmental side. The senior team has no excuse, but to win and win emphatically.

I am reminding each player that donning the Ingwe jersey is a rare honour that requires the confidence of a leopard which when out to hunt, is undisturbed by another predator hunting the same prey. The leopard settles for no less than a kill, therefore, abandon this less than cavalier attitude that any result will do or prepare for the worst: more losses, pitiable draws, boos and less support from the ‘12th man’, less revenue to pay allowances or bonuses. The isikuti ding going silent and the inevitable, players will be dropped during mid-season. The Riot Act has been read by yours truly!