AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has tipped Ugandan striker Samuel Ssenyonjo to spearhead the club’s title charge, revealing the effort done behind the scenes help the striker find his feet at the Den.
Ssenyonjo, who joined Ingwe from Ugandan side Express FC in September 2025, endured a tough start to life in the Sportpesa League.
However, a powerful start to 2026 has seen him silence critics thanks to a sensational hat-trick and an assist in Leopards’ 4-0 demolition of Tusker FC last Sunday.
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Fred Ambani backs Samuel Ssenyonjo to lead AFC Leopards’ title push
Speaking on the striker’s transformation, Ambani admitted that the pressure of being a foreign signing nearly took its toll on the 24-year-old.
“When we signed him, he started slow and a lot of people pressurized him. Anytime you have a foreigner and fans and the whole team demands a lot from him, it’s very easy to crack.”
The tactician, who was recently crowned the December Sportpesa League Coach of the Month, explained that the technical bench took a deliberate approach to help Ssenyonjo’s revitalise.
As a coach, when one of your players is under the spotlight, you shield him.
We worked to build back his confidence and prepare him mentally so that he knows all the expectations should be dealt with by the coaching staff, not him.
We are grateful that bringing him all the way from Uganda hasn’t been in vain; otherwise, people would be saying you have a foreigner who isn’t helping you.”
Ssenyonjo’s resurgence is backed by the numbers with the former Express attacker having five goal contributions in his last two matches, including an assist against Nairobi United.
Yet, for the striker, the turnaround is spiritual rather than just tactical.
ALSO READ: Ssenyonjo treble sinks Tusker as AFC Leopards extend SportPesa League lead
After netting his third goal against Tusker, Ssenyonjo removed his jersey to reveal the message: “No es Suerte. Siempre es Dios” (It’s never luck, it’s always God).
“I have been praying for this moment and it finally arrived. I have been working hard, waiting patiently for my time, and God has helped me. Now I’m going to build on this,” said the soft spoken striker.
The former Uganda U20 international admitted that the physicality of the Kenyan league required a learning curve first.
“At the start of the season, I did not know how the league was going. Right now, I know how the teams play because I’ve seen them and worked on improving my weaknesses. I’m going to prepare for every game as it comes.”
The Ugandan’s form will be put to the test this Saturday as AFC Leopards welcome APS Bomet to the Nyayo National Stadium.
While Ingwe sits joint-top of the table with 30 points, they will be wary of the recently promoted side.
Bomet recently pulled off a shock upset against record champions Gor Mahia at the same venue defeating them 4-1.
Ssenyonjo will be looking to extend his four goal tally and keep the Leopards’ 28-year wait for a league title on track.