William Inganga : AFC Leopards Legend on 'Why I Can Go Watch The Den Games Again' After Decades of Feeling Unrecognized

AFC Leopards legend William Inganga reveals the painful "disrespect" that kept him away, and the one gesture that's bringing him home.

If you are in the circles of Kenyan football history the name William Inganga resonates with a unique almost mythical legacy.

The striker's career trajectory took him from the Kenyan league to the highest levels of South American football, yet he often remained an enigma to fans and even the federation back home.

Recently, Inganga, who lives overseas, was reminded of his place in AFC Leopards history, sparking a raw and honest reflection on respect, recognition and his strained relationship with the club he once starred for.

The catalyst for this reflection was a new and widely praised initiative by the current AFC Leopards leadership which is spearheaded by chairman Bonface Ambani. 

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The club has taken the significant step of granting its former players free electronic access to all home matches. This move is designed to celebrate club legends and, crucially, end the years of "gate harassment" and limited access that many past heroes endured when trying to watch their former team.

For Inganga, receiving his own electronic access card was a profound moment. It was never about the money for the former international star; it was about finally ending a persistent feeling of "disrespect at the gate" that had personally kept him away from live games for years.

“Today I got this from Bonface N Ambani AFC Leopards chairman in Absetia," Inganga wrote on his Facebook page.

"The truth is I would not even go to watch our National team or the den games before not becoz I could not afford to pay but just the disrespect at the gate, now I can go watch the dens games when around!!! Thank you. I work in a customer service oriented job and I know the meaning of '3P' meaning!!! Do you know them???."

The initiative Inganga praised is about more than just free entry; it aims to reconnect the club's glorious past with its present. 

Ambani stressed that beyond simple recognition, the goal is to create a mentoring bridge. 

“We need them back to help this club grow,” Ambani stated. 

“Their one-on-one talks with our current players and fan base will bring back the relationship we need, unity for a purpose.”

A Hero Abroad, An Enigma at Home

Inganga’s career is one that arguably deserved this recognition decades ago. Born on March 13, 1969, he first burst onto the scene playing for Nyangori boys secondary school, famously steering them to a win over the powerhouse Kakamega High in 1989. 

His talent was undeniable, and AFC Leopards scouts quickly signed him as the heir to the legendary Joe Masiga.

He delivered, becoming one of the league's top strikers. His prowess soon took him abroad, first to Egyptian giants Zamalek in 1994. 

From there, he achieved a feat still unmatched by any Kenyan: he played in the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.

 In 1996, he featured for Cerro Porteno of Paraguay, scoring spectacular goals and playing three matches in the tournament.

Inganga also played for Club Atlético Torino in Peru and Beijing Guoan in China, before his career wound down in India and Oman.

But this international success was a strange paradox as while  Inganga was competing at the highest levels, he was rarely called up to the national team. 

His exploits in South America received scant attention in the Kenyan press, leaving many fans completely unaware of his historic achievements.

The Legend in Plain Sight

This lack of recognition was hilariously and painfully captured in a story Inganga shared days earlier, describing a dark time in his post-football life.

After retiring and losing his mother, he found himself working as a bouncer in Mombasa to avoid depression.

“In 2006/2007 after I retired from soccer & had lost my pillar in life my mother had passed away some years back then I had to try and fit into the life of looking for a job in Kenya & I had started gym working out not to go into depression," he wrote. 

"A friend took me to Tembo in Mombasa to work as a bouncer..then afterward he took me to Yamas beach bar... I worked with one Luhya guy from Busia who was a fan of both AFC Leopards & William Inganga !!!"

He continued, "I tell this guy was angry at me coz i told him am the William Inganga saying am inpersonating his best striker .He almost beat me up until I had to agree with him that he knows Inganga more than me. He said Inganga is in Peru ,Paraguay,China doing the soccer things 'mimi hapa askari gongo na yeye siwezi kuwa Inganga' that is when I knew people out here know you more than you know yourself.”

That encounter perfectly summarizes Inganga's career: a legend celebrated in memory but unrecognized in person. 

Now, with a simple electronic pass from his former club, AFC Leopards has bridged that gap. It is  a gesture that ensures when William Inganga comes home, he will be welcomed not as an imposter, but as the hero he truly is.