AFC Leopards’ Victor 'Aguero' Otieno on how Fred Ambani has transformed his game

AFC Leopards midfield maestro has explained how interim coach helped kickstart his career at the club after months on the fringes under

The Jamhuri High School alumnus was only limited to training with the side when he initially joined in 2022, but he could not play as he could not be registered while the club were going through a transfer ban.

 He was only limited to appearances for the side’s youth team in the FKF Division 2.

However, he was finally registered in August 2023, alongside another 18 players as the club sought to strengthen themselves following a difficult two years.

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It became a difficult first two months for Ingwe under Tom Juma, who was dismissed after just six games in charge. Juma was in a state of frantically shifting between a bunch of keys to desperately try to open the door as danger came closer and closer, and it just could not work.

However, amidst the whole situation, Aguero was one of the few players that was a bright spark for his side. He started four of the six games, and he was the only player that tried to make things happen for Leopards during their dull 2-0 loss to Gor Mahia last October.

Ingwe opted to change coaches, and decided to hire back Trucha, who returned for a second spell at the club after three years. He had quit the first time citing threats from members of the club’s administration.

His second spell has been rosier after a slow start, where he finally found a formula to get results, especially after their December camp to Mumias.

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In the process, Trucha preferred Jaffari Owiti and Hassan Beja as his two wingers, with Clifton Miheso playing in the number 10 role. This has left Aguero being relegated to a squad player, making the occasional cameos off the bench for the remainder of the season.

The theme continued into the new season up until Trucha’s dismissal in December, but under interim coach Fred Ambani, he has found a new lease of life, regularly starting for the side and even coming on as a substitute almost every game.

Speaking  on the Crafting Stars Show podcast, Otieno has now opened up on how he was able to cope with the lack of playing time under Trucha.

“At the time, I had someone mentoring me, but he was telling me to continue doing what I was doing even though I was not getting gametime,” Otieno said.

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“He told me to continue being me because the coach was not spotting me. If I stopped being myself, there were chances the coach would stop even considering me.”

Ambani, who initially served as assistant coach to both Tom Juma and then Trucha before taking the head coach role on an interim basis, played the father-figure role to Otieno, which kept his spirits high during that difficult period.

“Fred used to encourage me and tell me that ‘I know you have potential, but I have no power to start you. Keep pushing’. I just did not know that he would end up becoming head coach.”

Under Ambani, the side has seen a collective improvement in results, as well as dressing room atmosphere, something Otieno credits to his willingness to reward hard work.

“Coach Ambani has a merit-oriented approach to selecting teams. If you train well, you play. Ambani has given me freedom to express myself. That is what has been favoring me because it is my playing style.”

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With his confidence restored, Otieno has set ambitious targets for the remainder of the season.“I want to score seven goals and record eight assists by the end of the season because it would give me a good chance to take part in CHAN. Maybe it will then elevate me to be a part of the Harambee Stars set up for the AFCON. 

And as Kenya prepares to unveil the brand-new , Otieno is eyeing a dream debut there.

“I want to be among the first players to grace that Talanta Stadium pitch.”

From being overlooked to becoming a key contributor, Otieno’s story serves as a powerful reminder of how one coach’s belief can reignite a career.