Leopards tipped: Outgoing Kitambi believes Ingwe will win the KPL title this year

Outgoing AFC Leopards assistant coach Dennis Kitambi has placed his bet on the club to win the 2018 SportPesa Premier League despite trailing leaders Gor Mahia by eight points.
Kitambi, who officially relinquished his services with the club yesterday, tipped the 13-time Kenyan Premier League champions to end their 20-year premiership drought.
The Tanzanian national was speaking while receiving the Fidelity Coach of the Month (March) where his unbeaten run in the three matches he oversaw was perfectly rewarded with Sh75,000 and a personalised trophy.
It was a perfect send off to the man believed to have brought back the quality football witnessed at the Den since his elevation to the position of interim coach in March following the departure of now Tusker coach Robert Matano.
Kitambi expressed his confidence with the players and the newly appointed head coach Rodolfo Zapata in gunning and bagging  the  elusive KPL title.
He said: “I have worked with these players for quite some time and truth be told they posses the qualities of winning the league. If they maintain a winning streak then Leopards will be crowned the new champions. The gap is small. They can catch up and cement the top spot until the end of the season.”
He, however, did not rule out a return to the club. “I am grateful for this award and those who recognised my efforts. I leave Leopards for another challenge in Asia and in case an opportunity presents itself in future, I will gladly return to the den.”
He, further advised his successor, Zapata, to hurriedly get a solution to the poor goal conversion rate witnessed in their last three matches.
“When I took over, we had issues with the defence but I instilled confidence and discipline and its no longer leaking. I urge my successor to work on striking since the team wastes a lot of chances. I also advise him to teach the boys good football as well as fight for titles,” said Kitambi.
The soft spoken tactician won the March gong after leading Leopards to wins against Sony Sugar (2-0), broke Mathare United’s unbeaten run (4-3) and clawed Kakamega Homeboyz 2-1. He is expected to jet out tomorrow for Bangladesh, where he will reunite with his former boss and mentor Stewart Hall in tutoring Saif Sporting Club.
Kitambi became the second recipient of the award after experienced Francis Kimanzi scooped the February gong.