We recently sat down with AFC Leopards assistant coach Nicholas Muyoti to discuss his return to Ingwe as well as the new signings which have come into the side during the mid-season transfer window.

Nicholas Muyoti @ SS com

SuperSport.com: When did you first play football in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL)?

Muyoti: In 1997, after finishing high school I played for AFC Leopards. I was there for five years before I left for Thika United.

SuperSport.com: Why did you leave AFC Leopards at that time?

Muyoti: There was a change in the management of the club and we failed to agree, plus I needed a new challenge so I decided to leave.

SuperSport.com: How long were you at Thika United?

Muyoti: I played there for two years before I left for Singapore. I was only there for eight months, then I moved to India where I played for Churchill SC for a season before another team, Sporting Club De Goa, spotted me and signed me. During pre-season, unfortunately I was seriously injured in a friendly match. I then had to return to Kenya. I did not play for one year due to the injury.

SuperSport.com: Where did you play after recovery?

Muyoti: I went back to Thika United but after a year I got a better deal at Karuturi Sports. I stayed there for another season then I moved to Sofapaka. After one season there I moved back to AFC Leopards.

SuperSport.com: Did you ever imagine you would go back to AFC Leopards?

Muyoti: I always knew that I would go back to AFC Leopards, though I did not know in what capacity or when. AFC Leopards is home for me, the club has made me who I am today and I attribute my success to Leopards.

SuperSport.com: Having played under the different coaches who have worked at AFC Leopards in the last two years, what has Jan Koops done differently from them to bring the team success?

Muyoti: Each of the different coaches was talented in their own right, had their own style but we have had some turbulent times in the past two years and this contributed to under-performance. Often the players lost focus. Koops is a good coach, he has brings out the best in all the players and right now we are more stable.

SuperSport.com: What should the fans expect from AFC Leopards at the end of the season?

Muyoti: We have had very supportive fans and our sponsors have also given us their backing in every way, the only way we can thank them is to win the league.

SuperSport.com: What do you think of the new signings: Paul Were, Idrissa Rajab, Floribert Ndayisaba?

Muyoti: One word can describe all of them: quality. They will increase our chances of winning more matches.

SuperSport.com: At the beginning of the season when Leopards submitted a list of their players, you were still listed as a player, but you have also been named as assistant coach. What is your exact role?

Muyoti: I have been appointed assistant coach but I am still a Leopards player, I still train with the other players, I have maintained my fitness.

SuperSport.com: Will we be seeing you fielded on of these days?

Muyoti: (Laughs) I can still play, but right now we have enough depth in the team and I don’t foresee that happening.