A.F.C. Leopards Explained

Clubname:AFC Leopards
Fullname:Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club
Short Name:AFC, Leopards
Nickname:Ingwe (The Leopards)
Ground:Nyayo National Stadium
Nairobi
Capacity:15,000
Season:2023–24
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Owntitle:Chairman
Owner:Dan Shikanda
Mgrtitle:Head Coach
Manager:Tomáš Trucha
League:Kenyan Premier League
Position:5th of 18
Website:http://www.afcleopards.co.ke/

Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, or simply known as AFC, Leopards or luy|'''Ingwe'''|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 third most successful club behind Tusker FC (13 titles) and Gor Mahia (18 titles), the latter with whom they regularly contest the Mashemeji Derby.[1] The team currently plays most of its home games at the Nyayo National Stadium

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 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 its name to Abaluhya Football Club when a number of small clubs amalgamated.[3] In 1980 the club was renamed AFC Leopards, the name it holds until present.

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

From the 1960s or even earlier; the notion and formation of various Abaluhya teams for invitational matches became the forerunner of what eventually would become Abaluhya United. On 12 March 1964, the East African Standard newspaper published a report on the birth of a new club known as 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. [5]

The 1970s and 80s: Legacy building and golden era

This was a period of sustained performance from the club, which brought it more fame. This included winning the Kenya National Football League in an unbeaten fashion, in the process becoming the first Kenyan club to do so.[6]

AFC Leopards marked the 80s by marking a period of dominance majorly in the domestic and regional scene.[7]

The 1990s and 2000s

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.[8]

Honours

League

Cup

10

5

Performance in CAF competitions

African Cup of Champions Clubs/CAF Champions League

CAF Confederation Cup

CAF Cup

African Cup Winners' Cup

Players

Out On Loan

Footballing and medical staff

PositionName
Head coach Tomáš TruchaAssistant coach Fred Ambani
Goalkeeper coach Haggai Azande
Team Manager Bernard Mang'oli
Team Doctor Patrick Ngusale
Physiotherapist Joshua Osir
Fitness coach Vincent Mbwabi

Board of directors

PositionName
Chairman Dan Shikanda[9]
Secretary General Gilbert Andugu
Treasurer Oliver Napali Imbenzi
Committee Member Diana Obbayi[10]
Committee Member Caroline Walusaga

Coaches and managers

Jonathan Niva1966-1970
Jonathan Niva1973-1977
Robert Kiberu1979-1984
Gerry Saurer1984-1985
Graham Williams1986-1987
Joe Masiga1987 (player/manager)
Charles Gyamfi1988-1991
Jan Koops2012
Luc Eymael2013
Hendrik Pieter De Jongh2014[11]
Zdravko Logarušić2015
Jan Koops2016
Ivan Minnaert2016
Stewart Hall2016-2017
Dorian Marin2017
Robert Matano2017-2018
Rodolfo Zapata2018
Nikola Kavazović2018
Marko Vasiljević2018-2019
Andre Cassa Mbungo2019-2020
Anthony Kimani2020
Tomáš Trucha2020
Anthony Kimani2020-2021
Patrick Aussems2021-2023
||Tomáš Trucha|2023 till present

Interim Manager

See also

References

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kenya - List of Champions. RSSSF. 3 April 2017. 12 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912040437/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kenyachamp.html. live.
  2. Web site: admin. The 2000s: Little success and decline. 2020-05-28. en-US. 9 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200509170820/http://afcleopards.co.ke/the-2000s-little-success-and-decline/. live.
  3. Daily Nation, 5 January 2004: Oyugi speaks on state of soccer
  4. Kenyafootball, 17 November 2008: AFC Leopards confirmed for 2009 Premier League
  5. Web site: admin. 2019-03-18. The 1960s: The Good Beginnings. 2020-11-18. AFC Leopards SC. en. 30 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930005048/https://afcleopards.co.ke/the-1960s-the-good-beginnings/. live.
  6. Web site: admin. 2019-03-18. The 1970s: Legacy Building. 2020-11-18. AFC Leopards SC. en. 21 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201121090939/http://afcleopards.co.ke/the-1970s-legacy-building/. live.
  7. Web site: admin. 2019-03-18. The 1980s: The Golden Era. 2020-11-18. AFC Leopards SC. en. 17 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201117193359/http://afcleopards.co.ke/the-1980s-the-golden-era/. live.
  8. Web site: admin. 2019-03-18. The 1990s: The New Era. 2020-11-18. AFC Leopards SC. en. 16 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201116124218/http://afcleopards.co.ke/the-1990s-the-new-era/. live.
  9. Web site: 2022-06-27 . 2022 Annual General Meeting: Club election results . 2022-08-17 . AFC Leopards SC . en . 17 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817003134/https://afcleopards.co.ke/2022-annual-general-meeting-club-election-results/ . live .
  10. AFC Leopards . afcleopards . 1548262590857367557 . 16 July 2022 . With this development this is how our NEC looks like ... . 2022-08-17.
  11. News: Troubled Leopards send Dutch coach De Jongh packing. en-UK. Daily Nation. 2018-06-05. 18 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171018141513/http://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/Troubled-AFC-Leopards-send-Dutch-coach-De-Jongh-packing/1102-2571746-f5pjeyz/index.html. live.