The "Den" was rocking yesterday as AFC Leopards striker Sam Ssenyonjo finally announced his arrival in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL). In a virtuoso performance that had the Ingwe faithful singing his name, the Ugandan import netted a stunning hat-trick to dismantle Shabana FC 3-1 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

For months, Ssenyonjo has been the subject of ridicule—a marquee signing who looked heavy, slow, and out of sync with the team’s high-press system. His transfer fee, rumored to be in the region of KES 2 million, hung over his head like a dark cloud. But in 90 electrifying minutes, the narrative flipped from "waste of money" to "fan favorite."

The Tactical Shift

Coach Tomas Trucha revealed a tweak in tactics that unlocked the striker. "We stopped asking Sam to run the channels and told him to stay in the box," Trucha explained in the post-match presser. "He is a fox in the box, not a winger." The adjustment paid immediate dividends. His first goal, a glancing header from a corner, showed his aerial prowess. The second, a poacher’s tap-in, demonstrated his positioning. The third—a thunderous volley from 20 yards—was pure class.

• The Stats: Ssenyonjo had only scored one goal in his previous 12 appearances. His conversion rate yesterday was a lethal 75% (3 goals from 4 shots on target).
• The Impact: The win lifts AFC Leopards to 4th on the table, just six points behind arch-rivals Gor Mahia. It also eases the pressure on the technical bench, which had faced calls for dismissal after a string of draws.

"I Never Stopped Believing"

"The fans pay their money, they have a right to criticize," Ssenyonjo said, clutching the match ball. "But I know my quality. Today, the ball bounced right. Tomorrow, we go again." With the Mashemeji Derby looming next month, Ingwe fans will be hoping this is not a flash in the pan, but the start of a golden era.