AFC Leopards have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their Kenya Premier League fixture against Sony FC in Awendo on Sunday.

Ingwe will be without head coach Robert Matano, who on Thursday was placed on “special leave”, according to reports.

Latest confirmation from the den as reported by Nairobi News indicate that assistant coach Denis Kitambi would be at the helm in the interim.

Matano’s absence comes at a crucial time, with Leopards in desperate need of points as the twelve times league winners have been struggling to win matches of recent.

Ingwe will be looking to break their five-match winless deadlock in all competitions against the sugar millers.

Wednesday afternoon’s defeat against Sofapaka though marked their first loss so far in the season. They have won one game and drawn one but their loss to arch-rivals Gor Mahia in KPL Super Cup and elimination from CAF Confederations Cup by little known Fosa Juniors of Madagascar could have triggered the new development.

But most importantly a victory could also boost their confidence going towards quarter of the new season.

However, Sony will not lie back and let Ingwe walk all over them. They are also on a race of their own after being held by Nakumatt to a goalless draw last weekend away in Ruaraka.

A win could see them break into the top of the league, depending on other results. They are in fifth position on the log with 7 points from four games.