Fred Ambani Backs Young Striker Chris Koloti With 'Untapped Potential' as Answer to AFC Leopards' Blunt Attack

Chris Koloti Photo. (Credit: AFC Leopards)

Fred Ambani Backs Young Striker Chris Koloti With 'Untapped Potential' as Answer to AFC Leopards' Blunt Attack

Mark Kinyanjui 15:15 - 24.04.2025

Koloti started during AFC Leopards 0-0 draw with Ulinzi Stars during their last FKF Premier League clash.

AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani has revealed the qualities young striker Chris Koloti is bringing to the side that could help his side solve its recent profligacy woes after their 0-0 draw against Ulinzi Stars.

Ingwe were held to the stalemate by the Soldiers at Dandora Stadium on Easter Monday, and it leaves Ambani scratching his head for answers, having gone without a win for three games now.

During their clash, Ingwe missed a lot of chances which cost their side a victory, but it did give Ambani a chance to hand a rare start to Koloti, whose game time has been limited since joining the club in January 2024 straight out of high school.

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Ingwe’s forward options have flattered to deceive. Rwandese forward Arthur Gitego left the club on a free transfer in February, while Sydney Lokale has also struggled for form and fitness.

Koloti’s opportunity comes at a time when Leopards are desperate for inspiration in the final third. 

The club has been without Rwandan striker Arthur Gitego since his departure on a free transfer in February, while Sydney Lokale — their second-highest scorer — is sidelined for five weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Speaking to Azam TV after the match, Ambani heaped praise on the young striker, backing him to improve over time.

“We have to give Koloti a fair chance because if you look at how we have been performing in recent weeks, we have been struggling, but he is bringing presence upfront, something we have been lacking for a while,” Ambani said.

“He can use his physicality to try and create space for others. We will mold him gradually to try and see if he can develop and realise his untapped potential.”

Leopards will next face Bidco United next Sunday, and Ambani has explained how he will prepare his charges to return to winning ways if they are to kickstart their season for the remaining 27 matches of the season.

“We can only pick up where we left off this week. They played better against Ulinzi, so I hope in the next game, they will do much better.”

With Maxwell Otieno also failing to deliver in recent outings, Ambani’s decision to turn to Koloti signals a bold shift toward youth in an attempt to fix the team's attacking woes.

Although still raw, Koloti’s performance was encouraging. He threatened on several occasions and offered the kind of target presence Ingwe has sorely missed since Lokale’s absence.

Leopards, currently seventh the FKF Premier League standings, face Bidco United next Sunday — a clash Ambani hopes will serve as a turning point in their campaign, which still has 27 matches left.

“We can only pick up where we left off this week,” he said. “They played better against Ulinzi, so I hope in the next game, they will do much better.”

With the coach backing youth, and a talented teen eager to prove himself, the hope at Leopards is that Chris Koloti could be the missing piece in their attacking puzzle.

AFC Leopards coach reveals qualities youngster Chris Koloti could bring upfront to solve profligacy woes

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