AFC Leopards ended 2024 sitting fifth on the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) log with 22 points, five behind leaders KCB after 15 league outings.After a slow start to the season, Leopards made changes in the technical bench that brought stability to the squad but still, 2024 was not different from other years where the club has fought with; managerial upheavals, fan unrest, and unfulfilled promises from the National Executive Committee (NEC).The year started with the oldest club, in the country, entrusting Tomas Trucha to lead them to glory after guiding the club to fifth place in his first term.##NAJAVA_MECA_8608474##The gaffer was in the middle of the club transfer business and oversaw the trimming of the squad trimmed to a sizeable number where 12 players including Shawn Oloo, Dan Sunguti, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Zachary Njite, Washington Munene, Jaffari Owiti, Yassin Sije, Cliff Nyakeya and Nesta Olum were released. Despite the massive outgoing, Ingwe brought in four new players: South Sudan national team captain and central defender Peter Manyang, Murang’a Seal left-back Samuel Semo, former Kariobangi Sharks striker Sydney Lokale, utility Julius Masaba and Ovella Ochieng.In addition to the signings, the 12-time FKF Premier League champions secured the services of assistant coach Ken Wendo, who joined Fred Ambani, Bernard Mangoli, and Josh Angatia in the Leopards technical bench.AFC Leopards coach urges fans to set aside title aspirationsThe season commenced with cautious optimism with Chairman Dan Shikanda assuring fans of a robust title challenge, stating, “This season, we have strengthened our squad and are fully prepared to compete for the championship.”However, the early matches mirrored past inconsistencies, with Leopards securing a convincing 4-0 win against Mathare United but suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Posta Rangers shortly thereafter.Reliving AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda’s speech at the 2024/25 FKF Awards Gala at Safari Park Hotel. Chairman Shikanda confidently stated that AFC Leopards will win the upcoming season but acknowledged that there are several strong teams they’ll compete with. pic.twitter.com/dbiU2PdCxv— Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) August 14, 2024 As the season progressed, the team’s performance failed to meet the expectations. A string of draws and unexpected defeats, including a 2-0 loss to Ulinzi Stars, intensified pressure on the coaching staff.Fan frustration boiled over in November when a section of supporters confronted coach Trucha after the Ulinzi match, necessitating security intervention. The club condemned the incident, emphasizing that hooliganism had no place in football.In response to the fans’ call for change, the club was forced to part ways with Trucha, ending his second stint with the team. Fred Ambani was promoted to the role of interim head coach working alongside Wendo and soon Leopard results skyrocketed.Not a very good afternoon for Tomas Trucha and AFC Leopards pic.twitter.com/tiHO1wRme1— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) November 3, 2024 Ambani’s tenure began positively with a 1-0 victory over Kenya Police, ending a five-game winless streak the law enforcers had enjoyed ahead of the contest. He outlined his ambitions, stating, “If we continue getting the right results, I do not see why not,” regarding his prospects of securing the position permanently.Trucha’s tenure was marred with talks of losing the dressing room and poor relations with his technical bench.##NAJAVA_MECA_8605373##Leopards launch a task force to decide the club’s futureOn August 29, 2024, Leopards chairman Shikanda revealed that the club’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had come up with an eight-member task force that was to find out whether the club was ripe for a transition from the society model to a corporate structure.Shikanda said the task force would embark on a comprehensive tour of the AFC Leopards’ 85 branches.“We are introducing a task force of eight dedicated individuals who will visit each of our branches to collect opinions from our supporters,” Shikanda said.The chairman noted that the current societal model had faced numerous obstacles, prompting the club to reconsider its operational strategy.Kimanzi speaks hope to players dropped from Stars’ Mapinduzi Cup squadDuring the club’s 60th anniversary in March, the club officials underscored the importance of transforming AFC Leopards into a self-sustaining and profitable organization, a vision that aligns with modern football’s evolving landscape.The Vincent Shimoli-led task force was given a six-month time frame to complete their consultations and present their findings to the club’s top brass.Other members of the committee are Alexander Muteshi, Richard Ekhalie, Nelly Mwashi, Ng’arua Kamuya, Bramwell Aino, Clarence Jumba, and Laureen Aseka.AFC Leopards Unveil 2024/25 Partners2024 provided hope to the majority of the Leopards fans and such a moment came in August when the club chairman Shikanda unveiled four partners for the 2024/2024 season.Among them were kitting firm Singaporean firm Mafpro Sports, Official Hydration Partner- Sporty H2O, Financial Sustainability Partner- HPaysa and Digital Partner- News Trends. No more details were given concerning the partnership.AFC Leopards in potential legal dispute with Singapore kit maker over payment delaysLeopards faced a possible legal battle with Singaporean kit manufacturer Mafpro Sports over delayed payments of this season’s kits two months after announcing the deal.On August 29, 2024, AFC Leopards unveiled the 2024-25 kits during a Gala Award ceremony hosted by the U45 Unit Branch.During the unveiling, it was revealed that the new deal would involve kitting for the senior, youth, and women’s teams.Gor Mahia start new year with Kitara FC friendlyMafpro Sports signed the contract with the team through East Africa’s marketing manager, Shon Osimbo, and promised to deliver the kits just in time for the new season.The club, however, failed to honor the deal forcing Mafpro Sports to send a demand letter seeking the club to pay an outstanding balance of Ksh. 4,126,571 (USD 32,000) and warehouse charges of Ksh 644,775 (USD 5,000).Leopard’s fans had been craving new replicas, and the MAFPRO deal was welcomed by many fans who believed that the incoming replica would be way better than the ones that are being sold currently by the club.Stars Abroad: Clarke Oduor on target as Bradford battle for a point in BarrowThe club’s shirt sponsors a gaming firm in Kenya that offered to provide kits and replicas for the team last season, but the reviews were not good from the fans.Vacant CEO position Leopards also began the process of recruiting a new CEO following the expiry of a six-month term of Albert Wesonga, who had been serving in an acting capacity.The club said they were in search of a CEO who would be able to stabilize the club financially by luring new sponsors, as well as ensuring Ingwe can mount a league title challenge next season.AFC Leopards blame Nyayo Stadium renovations for not hiring new CEOWesonga stepped into the role on an interim basis in November 2023 after the club had fired the former CEO Victor Bwibo.Shikanda, surprisingly, attributed their inability to hire a new CEO to the closure of the Nyayo National Stadium where the club had been hosting league matches.Reflecting on the 2024 season, it’s evident that while there were glimpses of potential, systemic issues continue to hinder AFC Leopards’ progress.
