• AFC Leopards duo Samwel Semo and Eric Balecho have been ruled out of action due to separate injuries.
• Semo is expected to be sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury, while Balecho faces an extended spell out after sustaining an ACL injury.
• Ingwe remain unbeaten after five rounds, sitting third in the SportPesa League standings with nine points.

AFC Leopards’ camp has been hit by two major injuries, with Samwel Semo and Eric Balecho expected to be sidelined after sustaining different injuries that will keep them out of action.

Ingwe made the announcement on Thursday, stating that Semo sustained a hamstring injury during their home game against Shabana at Nyayo Stadium, where they were held to a goalless draw. The left-back is expected to be out for at least two weeks.

“The left-back sustained a hamstring injury during our League encounter against Shabana FC at Nyayo Stadium. He is currently undergoing recovery and is expected to be sidelined for the next two weeks.”

The defender also missed the previous two matches, in which Ingwe were held by Mara Sugar before securing a 2-0 victory over Kakamega Homeboyz.

He is expected to miss at least the next three fixtures against 3K FC, Mombasa United and Migori Youth, with a possible return during the Ulinzi Stars clash, according to the club, amid a congested SportPesa League schedule.

On the other hand, winger Balecho is expected to spend an extended period on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during AFC Leopards’ draw against Mara Sugar. The club confirmed that his recovery will take some time.

“The winger sustained an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during our match against Mara Sugar FC at Narok after coming on as a second-half substitute. He is currently undergoing assessment and recovery, with his return to action expected to take some time,” Ingwe wrote on their social media platforms.

The injuries have struck the den at an inopportune time as Ingwe seek to build momentum and put together a strong campaign following the unbeaten season opener.

After five rounds, Fred Ambani’s charges find themselves third on the log with nine points, chasing arch-rivals Gor Mahia, who top the standings with 12 points, while KCB sit second on 10 points.

Heading into round six, Ingwe, who finished as runners-up last season, will be looking to build on their recent 2-0 triumph over Kakamega Homeboyz as they aim to topple noisy newcomers 3K FC at Moi Stadium in Embu on Saturday.