Leopards respect experience and also value young talent

The Kenya Football Federation's verdict that youngster Vincent Oburu is a 'Leopard' is well in! AFC continue outwitting Gor since 1964! (pun intended).

I salute the Gor Mahia fraternity; kindly, receive a high-five! As Gor continue to nurse their wounded ego from the battle that preceded the verdict, take note that five is the number of players that have now successfully transitioned from the AFC Under-20 into the senior team. And they are Alfred Wekesa, Bruno Kiyai, Juma Jackson, Ingotsi Marcellus and Oburu.

This is the strongest statement yet that AFC Leopards, indeed, value young talent.

Watching as this year's AFC Leopards' technical bench field its blend of young and experienced players brings fond memories of a lethal 2013 squad that had the right mix of mature, composed and experienced players.

The experienced lot included Michael Baraza, Charles Okwemba, Allan Wanga and Peter 'Pinchez' Opiyo. The young and energetic talents were Patillah Omotto, Edward Seda, Benard Mangoli, Martin Imbalambala and right-back Edwin Wafula- the fantastic five!

The latter four were recruited straight from high school and fitted in like a gear to a well-oiled machine. They were constant torture to KPL teams.

Particularly under tactician Luc Eymael, the duo of Omotto and Seda was entrusted with pulling strings in the midfield.

It was exciting to watch them play an entertaining and free flowing tiki-taka football. They combined seamlessly and looked comfortable with the role.

It is during the 2013 season that AFC defeated Gor 1-0 in the GOtv Shield and finished second in the league standings; the blend of experience and youth delivered!

Impressive results aside, each of these young talents is doing well in their present stations. All have been capped and they were noticed while at AFC! Benard Mangoli is still at the Den and remains our towering midfield pillar.

AFC valued their talent, groomed and showcased them and the legacy continues.

This is a polite warning to AFC's Shemejis, Gor, and other rivals that may be deluded that the league is already concluded; when you are being chased by a Leopard, you do not look back to confirm its agenda, gender or size, you run! So run! Run! Ingwe yitsanga! (the leopard is coming!).

The blend is working already. Ingwe just clawed Thika United 2 -1. Run!

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