Exactly 15 days after the shock exit of their former head coach Patrick Aussems, AFC Leopards have on Tuesday morning finalized their appointment of assistant coach Tom Juma to the top seat.In his backroom staff, as per the club’s National Executive Committee statement, will be Fred Ambani, a former Wazito FC head coach, who will work as Juma’s assistant.CLUB UPDATE #OursForever pic.twitter.com/61i7XTUM8N— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) July 25, 2023 According to several sources close to the club, Juma, a former Kenya international, was the obvious choice in the managerial run-in that also included former team coach Anthony Kimani and former Nzoia Sugar head coach Salim Babu.At the end of discussions, Juma’s experience and understanding of the club, one that has seen him operate within the Ingwe dug-out since 2017, saw him stand out from the rest, with the club handing him the keys following a period in which he also stepped in as the coach after Aussem’s left the country at the tail end of last season.Leopards to replace Patrick Aussems with a local coachOn Juma’s appointment, the club said: “His appointment as head coach comes after his significant contributions as an integral part of the coaching staff in the previous seasons.”On the potential of the duo working together, the press statement added: “The management is confident that this coaching duo will lead the team to greater heights in the upcoming season.”Juma, a notable player in his days who went on to win Kenya’s player of the year in 2001, will marshal a side that is fresh off a eighth placed finish last season, but one with a few questions moving forward.##NAJAVA_MECA_7383637##In a detailed write up on their situation, the club currently owes former head coach Patrick Aussems a tune of Ksh. 20,568,250 in overdue payables, there exists a huge question over their activity in the transfer window, and have lost a few players from last season including; Cliff Nyakeya and Ojo Olaniyi.Juma will not be in an unfamiliar position however, as he had spells with second-tier Kenyan side Administration Police in 2012, and a short stint as Muhoroni Youth interim coach in 2016.
