A crisis is looming at the AFC Leopards den after players downed their tools on Thursday 16 January protesting the delay of their December 2024 salaries.Reports reaching our desk suggest that the players were infuriated by the club’s decision to pay each of them Ksh15,000 as part of their December salary and promised to clear the balance in due course.Mariga addresses issue of players player going months without payThe players reported for training as usual on Thursday morning but to the shock of the technical bench and management, refused to train, vowing to only return to the pitch once their full salaries hit their accounts.The go-slow follows weeks of discomfort in the Leopards camp where players were disappointed to head into the festive season without salary in their accounts which made it difficult for them to fully enjoy the festivities with their families.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632965##Things got even worse when the delay extended to a period when schools were opening especially for those with parental obligations. It is at this point that the players threatened to down their tools should there be further delay.The club then responded by sending each of the players an additional Ksh15,000 in a bid to quell the growing discomfort in the team as the management bought some time to have all the salary arrears settled.Why Ghost Mulee wants Francis Kimanzi to lead Harambee Stars CHAN finalsThe go-slow comes just two days before Ingwe hosts FC Talanta in an FKF Premier League match at Dandora Stadium.With only Friday 17 January remaining for the team to prepare for their Saturday clash, it remains to be seen what will be the next course of action for both the management and the players but the latter have insisted that only payment of their full salaries will have them return to the pitch.##NAJAVA_MECA_8632935##The boycott is also detrimental to the form that the team has had in recent matches, especially since the appointment of Fred Ambani as the club’s interim coach.Leopards are unbeaten in their last five matches, collecting 11 points in the process which has seen them occupy position six in the league table with 22 points.Kenya pays Ksh1.6 billion to CAF to host African Nations Championships (CHAN)
