AFC Leopards fans make the Mexican Wave at a previous KPL match.
NAIROBI, June 3 – The Den of confusion or the biblical Tower of Babel that has become AFC Leopards now has two factions seeking to control the Kenyan Premier League titans after the National Executive Committee (NEC) co-opted five members to the interim management team.
The latest twist in the never ending circus at the giants of local football comes barely six days after former chairman; Allan Kasavuli resigned in a huff and appointed a care-taker committee led by businessman Amin Walji.
On Tuesday, members of the NEC who rejected Kasavuli’s team announced former vice-chairman Walter Onyino, Embakasi Branch chairman Dan Mule, Pamela Lutta, former player Peter Lichungu and another unnamed legend would join the team that will run the club until June 27 when the Annual General Meeting will be held to elect new officials.
“After meeting, we have agreed to co-opt five members who will help us run the club. We will present them to members during the AGM who will decide the way forward.
“We have done it in line with the constitution and with elections set for next year, members will also decide if new office bearers will be elected this year,” assistant secretary general, Professor Asava Kadima told Capital Sport.
Kadima added they are due to meet to elect an acting leader in due course.
But according to Walji, the NEC members have no mandate to appoint anybody, claiming they ceased being officials the moment he was unveiled as Kasavuli’s successor.
“I don’t know what’s going on, I heard the rumour that another committee has been appointed but I’m not aware and as far as I’m concerned I’m still the chairman.
“What have they done for the team apart from having self centred interest? If they will finance the club them I’m willing to go because I came to stabilize the club,” Walji, who served as Treasurer in 2010 told Capital Sport.
“I’m in the process of bringing a sponsor on board before the June transfer window closes since the coach will need to sign new players,” Walji, who vied for Westlands MP in 2013 but lost to club trustee, Tim Wanyonyi added.
Walji leads a group that includes, former chairman Alex Ole Magelo, Martin Andati, Duncan Angode, Maggie Macniven, actor Charles ‘Papa Shirandula’ Bukeko, Linet Mirehani, Maurice Amahwa, Lincoln Amwayi, Joseph Nyongesa and former Kenya internationals, Josephat Murila and George Sunguti.
– Atwoli trustee-
Other trustees appointed are Secretary General for Central Organization of Trade Unions, Francis Atwoli and Webuye East MP, Alfred Sambu.
Leopards are facing a crippling financial crisis since sponsor Mumias Sugar suspended their deal and well wishers have pooled together to keep the club afloat amid training boycotts and threats to abandon matches by players who have gone four months without pay.
Harambee Stars captain and EPL side Southampton midfielder, Victor Wanyama was the latest Good Samaritan, handing them Sh700, 000 ahead of their weekend KPL clash against Mathare that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
