Former AFC Leopards captain Washington Munene has shed light on turbulent injury period that led to premature career-end.
Former AFC Leopards captain Washington Munene has spoken candidly about the devastating injury that cut short his football career.
The former Leopards' skipper has shed light on the painful circumstances surrounding his fall from club leadership during the 2023/2024 FKF Premier League season.
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The former Ingwe defender, once a key figure at the heart of the Leopards' backline, was forced into early retirement after aggravating an ankle injury while playing against Bandari FC in Mombasa.
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Munene had sustained the injury early in the game but chose to push through the pain, a decision he now regrets.
"Under the new coach (Tomas Trucha), I got injured in our first match against Bandari. Unfortunately, I played on with that injury only to find out that I was going to be on the treatment bed for five months," he revealed as per Citizen Digital.
"It was a tough period being sidelined for that long."
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Stripped of the Armband After Injury Layoff
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The injury not only halted his momentum on the pitch but also cost him the team’s captaincy.
Upon his return, the then Leopards skipper discovered that former head coach Trucha had already replaced him with Clifton Miheso as the team captain.
“When I came back, the coach had another mind and he already had his preferred player for my left back position. That meant I had to sit on the bench,” Munene explained.
“He also decided to strip me of the armband and gave it to Clifton Miheso. He told me it was very hard for me to captain the team from the bench and that’s why I lost it, though he didn’t give me satisfying reasons. To me, it wasn’t a genuine decision.”
“Until today, I have never understood the exact reason why Trucha had to strip me of the captaincy. I had returned and was available for selection, even if there was stiff competition,” he added.
New Life Beyond the Pitch
Now retired from professional football, Munene has transitioned into business, running a sportswear shop in Nairobi.
“I am now affiliated with football but in another capacity, as a sportswear businessman. God helped me work on my calculated steps after leaving AFC Leopards, one of the football giants in the region. I am doing well by the grace of God and I can’t complain,” he said.
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While the early end to his career was painful, he has found a new purpose within the sport he loves.