A.F.C. Leopards

Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, or simply known as AFC, Leopards or Ingwe (Luhya for 'Leopards'), is a Kenyan association football club based in Nairobi. It currently competes in the Kenyan Premier League, the top tier of the Kenyan football league system, and was founded in 1964 by football lovers from the luhya community. With 12 top-flight league titles to their name, AFC Leopards is Kenya's second most successful club behind Gor Mahia (18 titles), with whom they regularly contest the Mashemeji Derby.[1] The team currently plays most of its home games round Big Sherry’s back garden.

AFC Leopards
Full nameAFC Leopards SC
Nickname(s)Ingwe (The Leopards)
Short nameAFC, Leopards
Founded1964 (1964)
GroundNyayo National Stadium
Nairobi
Capacity15,000
ChairmanDan Shikanda
Head CoachPatrick Aussems
LeagueKenyan Premier League
2020–21Kenyan Premier League, 4th of 18
WebsiteClub website

AFC Leopards' standing as one of the most successful clubs in the region is underlined by the fact that it has won the Kenyan Premier League a record 12 times. AFC Leopards has also won the Kenya Cup 10 times, and the CECAFA Club Championship 5 times.[2]

The club was formed in 1964 as Abaluhya United Football Club. In 1973 the club changed the name to Abaluhya Football Club when a number of small clubs amalgamated.[3] In 1980 the club was named AFC Leopards till now.

In 2008 they played in the Nationwide League and won the title in their zone. They returned to the Kenyan Premier League for the 2009 season in which it also won the KFF Cup.[4]

History

The 1960s: The Good Beginnings

From the 1960s or even earlier; the notion and formation of various Abaluya teams for invitational matches became the forerunner of what eventually would become Abaluhya United. The East African Standard Newspapaer published a report on the birth of a club called Abaluhya Football Club which resulted from the amalgamation of Marama, Samia United and Bunyore; all Nairobi based clubs that were in Division 1 of the Kenya National Football League. The amalgamation process also included lower division clubs such as Kisa, Tiriki, Bukusu Brotherhood, Busamia, Lurambi, Butsotso, Bushibungo and Eshirotsa thus building its base and establishments that would make it a success in the future. This was reported in the newspaper on 12 March 1964, making it our official birthday.[5]

The 1970s and 80s: Legacy Building and Golden Era

This was a period of the club’s sustained performance pushed the Club to more fame and  paved the way for a future glorious era. This included winning the Kenya National Football League in an unbeaten fashion and in the process becoming the first Kenyan club to do so.[6]

Business as usual as Leopards marked the 80s by bring more silverware to the Den marking an unprecedented period of dominance majorly in the domestic and regional scene.[7]

The 1990s and 2000s: Little Success and Decline

In the 90s, achievements became less frequent, although in general the team continued to win some championships thus never suffering a considerable title drought.[8]

The beginning of dismal campaigns for the following 10 years, including relegation from the top tier. However, the club’s strong team spirit, the goals of its founders, its relatively stable support base; ensured the club is rejuvenated.[8]

Honours

League Honours

Cup Honours

Performance in CAF competitions

African Cup of Champions Clubs/CAF Champions League

CAF Confederation Cup
  • Preliminary round exits: 2010

CAF Cup

African Cup Winners' Cup

Players

Current squad
As of 2 November 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  KEN John Oyiemba
2 DF  KEN Yusuf Mainge
3 DF  KEN Washington Munene
5 DF  KEN Tedian Esilaba
6 MF  KEN Said Tsuma
8 MF  KEN Brian Wanyama
10 FW  KEN Elvis Rupia
11 FW  KEN Hansel Ochieng
12 DF  KEN Isaac Kipyegon (Captain)
13 FW  BDI Bienvenue Shaka
14 MF  KEN Peter Thiongo
15 DF  KEN Robert Mudenyu
16 GK  KEN Ezekiel Owade
17 MF  RWA Fabrice Mugheni
18 FW  KEN Boniface Mukhekhe
19 MF  KEN Eugene Mukangula
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW  KEN Dan Sunguti
21 DF  KEN Collins Shichenje
22 DF  KEN Collins Shivachi
23 MF  KEN Austin Odhiambo
24 DF  KEN Omar Somobwana
25 DF  KEN Lewis Bandi
25 MF  KEN Clyde Senaji
26 MF  KEN Marvin Nabwire
27 FW  KEN Jaffery Odeny Awiti
30 MF  SSD Saad Musa
77 FW  KEN Caleb Olilo
99 GK  UGA Benjamin Ochan
– FW  KEN Dan Sunguti
– MF  KEN Sellasie Otieno (On loan from Liberty Sports Academy)
– MF  GHA Gideon Waja

Out On Loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
– GK  KEN Maxwell Mulili (at Zoo Kericho)
– MF  KEN Dan Musamali (at Nzoia Sugar)

Footballing and medical staff
Position Name
Head Coach Patrick Aussems[9]
Assistant Coach None
Goalkeeper Coach Lawrence Webo
Team Manager Tom Juma
Team Doctor Patrick Ngusale
Physiotherapist Bonventure Odire
Fitness Coach Vincent Mbwave

Board of directors
Position Name
Chairman Dan Shikanda[10]
Secretary General Olyver Sikuku[10]
Treasurer Maurice Chichi[10]
Commercial Director Enos Mutokah[11]

Coaches and managers
Jonathan Niva 1966-1970
Jonathan Niva 1973-1977
Robert Kiberu 1979-1984
Gerry Saurer 1984-1985
Graham Williams 1986-1987
Joe Masiga 1987 (player/manager)
Charles Gyamfi 1988-1991
Jan Koops 2012
Luc Eymael 2013
Hendrik Pieter De Jongh 2014[12]
Zdravko Logarušić 2015
Jan Koops 2016
Ivan Minnaert 2016
Stewart Hall 2016-2017
Dorian Marin 2017
Robert Matano 2017-2018
Rodolfo Zapata 2018
Nikola Kavazović 2018
Marko Vasiljević 2018-2019
Andre Cassa Mbungo 2019-2020
Anthony Kimani 2020
Thomas Trucha 2020
Anthony Kimani 2020-2021
Patrick Aussems 2021- Present

Interim Manager

See also

References
  1. "Kenya - List of Champions". rsssf.com. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  2. admin. "The 2000s: Little success and decline". Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  3. Daily Nation, 5 January 2004: Oyugi speaks on state of soccer
  4. Kenyafootball, 17 November 2008: AFC Leopards confirmed for 2009 Premier League Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  5. admin (18 March 2019). "The 1960s: The Good Beginnings". AFC Leopards SC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  6. admin (18 March 2019). "The 1970s: Legacy Building". AFC Leopards SC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  7. admin (18 March 2019). "The 1980s: The Golden Era". AFC Leopards SC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  8. admin (18 March 2019). "The 1990s: The New Era". AFC Leopards SC. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  9. "Aussems: AFC Leopards unveil Belgian coach as they target title | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  10. "Dan Shikanda elected new AFC Leopards Chairman". Michezoafrika.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  11. "Enos Mutokah appointed Commercial Director". AFC Leopards SC. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  12. "Troubled Leopards send Dutch coach De Jongh packing". Daily Nation. Retrieved 5 June 2018.

Sources

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