AFC Leopards fans Mexican wave. PHOTO FILE.
NAIROBI, January 7 – The Den of confusion or the biblical Tower of Babel that has become AFC Leopards conducted parallel players recruitment Trials, even as the Interim Management Committee (IMC) unveiled a new technical bench to manage the bankrupt SportPesa Premier League titans.
The latest twist in the never ending circus at the giants of local football comes barely hours after Team Manager Francis Xavier threw in the towel, citing disorder after two factions conducted in two different venues at Rift Valley Training Institute (RTI) and Marist University International College.
On Thursday, the IMC that is co-chaired by Mathew Opwora and Daniel Mule, announced former coach Jan Koops the new tactician assisted by club’s former midfielder Tom Juma, former custodian John Busolo as the goal keeper trainer whilst Joseph Milimo replaced Xavier in the Team Manager position.
“We have made a decision to appoint Koops to take charge of AFC Leopards. This is after we met as Interim Committee and advertised the position.
“We only received applications from Koops and Tom Juma whom we found them suitable for the job in order to do recruitment and give us the best players. We will have a series of friendlies starting this weekend in Wote before naming the team,” Opwora declared.
Leopards who saw midfielder, Bernard Mang’oli and right-back Edwin Wafula become the latest players to ditch the club to GOtv Shield Champions Bandari, are yet to kick-off their pre-season.
Other players whose contract expired last December are winger, Timonah Wanyonyi as well as defenders Ivan Anguyo and Martin Kiiza who are all seeking a new club.
Xavier told Capital Sport it will be a tall order to get the club back to its feet if there is no sponsor since the recruitment exercise alone requires Sh4m after the mass exodus of players.
“I have resigned as Leopards Team Manager because the club is divided. I’m dealing with people who don’t have communication. We were told to go to RTI and conduct trials but others were holding theirs at Marist.
“I’m saddened with the ongoing wrangles that are going on, I have advised them but they have refused to hear. The IMC will not do the job because there is no unity. One faction is fighting within themselves so it’s difficult to work with such people,” Xavier, a former Ingwe player underscored.
“It could only work if the IMC was financially stable. Akwana and I decided to stay with the team when everybody decamped hoping things would be better but instead it’s getting worse.”
The IMC which consist of five members each from the warring groups will be led by Opwora and Mule for four months, thereafter the club will elect new office bearers in May.
Morris Osundwa will be the Secretary General, Peter Lichungu and Noah Wanyama will both serve as Organising Secretaries while members include Asava Kadima, Suleimana Angulu, Douglas Simiyu, Steven Mungo and Magwa.
