Mukangula Confesses of Career Struggles Since Acrimonious Exit from AFC Leopards

Former AFC Leopards midfielder Eugene Mukangula has conceded that his football career has never been the same from the time he was stripped of the captaincy, branded a rebel, unfit and ultimately released from the club.

Mukangula's five-year stay at the den came to a rather sour end, in August last year, as he silently left the club and joined the-then league returnees Shabana.

Going by his experience, he was expected to have a stint to remember at Shabana, but it turned out the opposite as he struggled for playing time and recurring injuries.

The midfielder quietly left Shabana in the off-season transfer window following the expiry of his year-long deal and, is currently a free agent after failing to secure a deal.

WHEN DID RAIN START POUNDING MUKANGULA?

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom the midfielder without mincing his words, admitted that his once-shinning career took a turn for the worst when he lost the armband at Leopards under controversial circumstances.

Mukangula was demoted as the Leopards captain in June last year alongside his then-assistant Peter Thiong'o, who also left the club for Posta Rangers.

The two were accused of indiscipline and being at the forefront in agitating for better player welfare, a clamor that did not sit well with the management.

Although their performances on the pitch were fine going by the minutes they got under coach Patrick Aussems, Mukangula faced more and unjust criticism for his body frame and fitness.

He avers that the genesis of his troubles and decline in form can be best traced to the events of June last year and his final weeks at Leopards.

"Things have never been the same from the time I was stripped of the captaincy at Leopards. It came with a lot of ridicule and was further branded a rebel and viewed as an unfit player yet that was not the case. I would have wished to leave the club in a better way," he told SportsBoom.com.

Mukangula had hoped to put the acrimonious fallout and exit from Leopards behind him and hit the reset button at Shabana but there is little to write about his stay with the Glamour Boys.

IS MUKANGULA INTERESTED IN REJOINING LEOPARDS?

Slightly over a week ago, Mukangula was pictured in the stands when Leopards beat Nairobi City Stars 2-1 at Dandora Stadium, eliciting talks of whether a reunion could be in the pipeline.

Reacting to the talks, the 28-year-old, who maintains that there is no bad blood between him and the club, said the ball was on the Leopards court.

He said if the Ingwe bosses and technical bench make the call, he would consult his handlers first before making up his mind.

"There is no bad blood between us at all. The past is long gone. I have been attending their matches by coincidence, to be honest. Most of Leopards' matches have been played in convenient facilities and thus my availability. If they are interested in my services again, I would consider it, but several things will have to be agreed on first. I will also have to consult my agent first," he said.