Exclusive: AFC Leopards Striker Refutes Alcoholism Claims, Defends Underwhelming Season Performance

Under-fire AFC Leopards striker Arthur Gitego has vehemently denied being a party animal, engaging in excessive alcohol intake and failing to live up to the expectations at the Den.

Gitego's alleged massive alcohol consumption and poor goal scoring record, in the season, have been a hot subject of discussion in the football circles, especially among Leopards fans in the past week.

The Ingwe faithful have been petitioning the management to shred Gitego's contract as his contributions on the pitch are not commensurate to the high salary he draws and standards a foreigner should meet.

However, the Rwandese forward has strongly denied the partying allegations and revealed reasons for his worrying goal returns in the ongoing season.

I DON'T TAKE ALCHOL

Reports on social media have been claiming that Gitego had been frequently hopping from one entertainment joint to the other, in the city, to quench his insatiable thirst for alcohol.

However, in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, the towering forward dismissed the reputation-damaging allegations, insisting that he is a complete teetotaler.

Gitego, who acknowledged to be in receipt of the allegations, slammed those who have been calling for his dismissal of making conclusions without hearing his side of the story.

He claimed that those spreading the partying reports are motivated by prejudice and feels that he is used as scapegoat for the inconsistent results witnessed at the club.

The 22-year-old said his critics were taking advantage of the loss of his form to express their hatred and advance their xenophobic agenda.

"I don't take alcohol at all, contrary to have has been spreading on social media. I was shocked to see reports linking me to alcohol consumption and partying, which I don't engage in at all," opened Gitego in a telephone interview.

He blamed his increasing woes on unnamed people, whom he said were opposed to his arrival at the club in February this year.

"People, who have been against me, have taken advantage of my struggle with form to advance their ill agenda against me. They have tried all manner of things to bring me down, but I am a strong man," he added.

WHY GITEGO HAS BEEN FIRING BLANKS

The Rwandese international sold hopes of ending the perennial goal-scoring problems at Leopards to the fans after emerging the top scorer in last season's Mozzart Bet Cup where he netted five goals.

He has, however, found the going tough in the top tier, as he has scored a single goal in ten rounds played so far in the season, inviting more pressure on himself.

His poor record cost him a place in the starting team as immediate former head coach Tomas Trucha yielded to fans' calls to drop him, with Sydney Lokale being preferred to lead the attacking line.

Asked the cause of the goal drought, Gitego attributed it to a knock suffered while on duty in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Benin.

He said the knee injury picked in the game played in October has been slowing him and irritating to the extent of barring him to give his best.

"No one understands what I have been going through. I have been pushing hard in training and on match days despite being in pain. I have been carrying an injury since October, but the love of the club has been forcing me to persevere," he explained.

I WILL PROVE DOUBTERS WRONG ON PITCH

Despite the damning allegations, the former Marines FC striker vowed to answers his critics on the pitch by netting at least ten goals in the remainder of the season.

Gitego promised to work on his full fitness, attain his set individual goal target in the league and retain his goal-scoring award in the cup.

Additionally, he pledged to help Ingwe end the more than two-decade wait for the 13th league title and return to continental football after seven years in the cold.

Gitego said it was early to write Ingwe off as far as the league title race was concerned as the competition was still in its initial stages.

"The best way to answer to those who doubt me is to score goals. I am sure I will get past the ten goal mark in the league and be crowned the best scorer in the cup. The most important thing is helping the team win trophies especially the league title," he said.

TRUCHA'S EXIT WILL NOT AFFECT GITEGO

Meanwhile, Gitego rubbished a suggestion insinuating that he will struggle following the reported resignation of coach Trucha. The Czech played a massive role in bringing Gitego to the den and had invested trust in the young forward given the playing time he afforded him.

Gitego admitted that the exit of Trucha hit him hard but vowed to soldier on and chase of individual targets as well as those the team is pursuing.

"I would have wished to work under him for a longer time, but that is the nature of football. I will continue giving my best despite his exit," he added.