Owiti sends message to AFC Leopards on how to maximize his killer attribute

AFC Leopards' Jafari Owiti (left) celebrates his goal against Bandari with Victor Omune during their Mozzart Bet Cup match against Bandari at Kasarani on April 30, 2023.Photo Credit: Sila Kiplagat

FKFPL Owiti sends message to AFC Leopards on how to maximize his killer attribute

Mark Kinyanjui 08:07 - 28.07.2023

The two-cap Kenya international was named Man-of-the-Match twice during Leopards’ run to third place in the FKF Cup last season.

AFC Leopards’ dynamic winger Jaffari Owiti has revealed he is looking forward to unleashing his true potential at Ingwe next season in order to help the club improve from their seventh-place finish.

The two-cap Kenya international was named Man-of-the-Match twice during Leopards’ run to the third place of the FKF Cup last season.

First against Bandari in the quarter-finals, where he scored a goal and won a penalty as the team whitewashed the then-Anthony Modo Kimani-coached outfit 3-0 and their 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars in the third-place playoff.

In the Bandari game, his speed when he had the ball at his feet was just too much for his ex-teammate Omar Somobwana, who was chasing shadows as Owiti skated nonchalantly at him before unleashing a low-drilled shot past Michael Wanyika.

Somobwana’s nightmare did not end there, as he conceded a penalty to Owiti moments later, epitomizing the former Chemelil Sugar man’s dominance down the left flank that day.

Owiti has explained why dynamism is a key part of his game.

“I am at my best when I have the ball because my game is about dynamism and I can commit to it,” Owiti told Pulse Sports. “When the ball is hit into space, it is more 50/50,” he added.

“What I have is pace. I know that when the ball is glued to my feet, you will not beat me when I run at you with it. Both game states have their advantages and disadvantages, but I am at my best when running with the ball.

Owiti revealed in an earlier interview that the Bandari match was his ‘best game of the season’ before later adding that he would want the team to maximize the use of his speed more often.

“If the team can learn how to use my speed, I think we can get to another level.”

Head coach Tom Juma, who managed their win over Ulinzi in Patrick Aussems' absence will surely have seen first hand the benefits of maximizing Owiti’s speed.

In that match, Juma asked Victor Omune to play as the center forward. Given Omune’s ability to drag markers towards him with his ability to protect the ball and dribble through tight spaces, it could create space for the 24-year-old to exploit.

Now that he has landed the job on a permanent basis, it will be interesting to see how he can get the best of his explosive wideman