AFC Leopards latest news, fixtures, players’ salary

AFC Leopards, aka Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club or simply Ingwe, are one of Kenya’s top clubs.

They have won several titles in Kenya, although never won a continental trophy and finished seventh last season under the tutelage of big Belgian manager Patrick Aussems.

Founded in 1964 by football lovers from the Luhya community, Ingwe have won 12 top-flight league titles. They are Kenya's third most successful club behind Tusker FC (13) and Gor Mahia (20). They have also won the CECAFA Club Championship 5 times.

Manager – Tom Juma

Our newly appointed Head Coach Tom Juma speaks

Link ➡️ https://t.co/GyOlEhkE9Q #OursForever pic.twitter.com/qfGBjXTnfC

— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) July 26, 2023

Tom Juma is a former Kenya footballer. The 47-year-old former international featured for the Harambee Stars 38 times between 1995 and 2005.

Juma was named head coach of AFC Leopards after the departure of their former manager Patrick Aussems. The Belgian left the club over unpaid salaries, which prompted FIFA to ban the Nairobi-based club.

The appointment of Juma came on August 15, as the new league season is about to kick off.

Juma started his coaching career in 2012. He first managed the second-tier Kenyan side Administration Police before two stints as interim head coach at Muhoroni Youth. He finally landed the permanent job in October 2016.

He joined AFC Leopards in 2017 as an assistant coach, but following the sacking of manager Dorian Marin, he took over as caretaker coach.

He is not new to the club, as he managed the club before the arrival of Patrick Aussems. He has the task of doing better than Aussems, who finished last season in seventh place after bagging 51 points.

Star players

Victor Omune

Ingwe's Victor Omune scored 4 goals today against FC Talanta.

The last time a player scored 4 goals in a single game in the #FKFPL was in 2016 when Engineer Michael Olunga bagged 4 against Chemilil.#RadullKE #FKFPL pic.twitter.com/gfj8bCTfNo

— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) February 9, 2023

The former Wazito FC player is perhaps the most crucial to the team. He contributed immensely to his side finishing seventh in the Kenyan Premier League last season. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder scored eight league goals.

Cliff Nyakeya

AFC Leopards reported for Day 2 of training today.

Among the players who showed up for training is Cliff Nyakeya who has been in talks with Gor Mahia.

Hassan Beja from Nzoia Sugar FC, and Peter Thiong'o who was reportedly on his way out of the club also trained with the team.… pic.twitter.com/FBj0aopAqt

— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) July 25, 2023

Cliff Nyakeya is a Kenyan professional footballer who is an attacking midfielder and forward for AFC Leopards. The Kenyan international also had stints with Gor Mahia and scored seven league goals for his side last season.

Ojo Olaniyi

Ojo Olaniyi of AFC Leopards shields the ball against Siraj Of Bandari.

Guess how the Match Ended?

Mozzart Bet Semis#MozzartBetCup pic.twitter.com/2clnK6Ssev

— RICHARD STORNCHATT (@RICHIESTORN) May 20, 2023

Ojo Olaniyi started last season on fire. On the opening day of the league season, he scored a brace to open his goals account. The two goals were enough for his side to defeat Ulinzi Stars.

Ojo was close to joining South African side Venda in the last transfer window before visa and immigration issues scuttled the deal. He managed a goal tally of seven.

Stadium

Al Hilal Benghazi are in town for Saturday's CAF Confederation Cup match against Kakamega Homeboyz at the Nyayo National Stadium. #FootballKE pic.twitter.com/lCXMb4FVRQ

— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) August 16, 2023

AFC Leopards play their home matches at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi. The government-owned stadium is a multi-purpose facility fit for athletics, football and swimming. Sitting at the square of Mombasa Road, it is approximately two kilometres from the City Center.

It has a 15,000 capacity. Some of the facilities in the stadium include a gymnasium and a 50-metre swimming pool.

Rugby union club Mwamba RFC also uses the Nyayo National Stadium for its home games.

News

AFC Leopards transfer ban lifted

CLUB UPDATE

Some white smoke from Zurich #Betika #OursForever #INGWE pic.twitter.com/QTvVG7OoFJ

— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) August 14, 2023

Following the agreement with former coach Patrick Aussems on a payment plan, AFC Leopards can now sign new players after FIFA lifted the transfer ban on the club on Monday.

A transfer embargo was placed on the club in May following failure to pay Sh20 million ($138,985) salary arrears owed to their former coach Patrick Aussems during his three-year stay with the club.

According to the Leopard's management, they have agreed on a payment plan with the Belgian coach and have already started paying him in instalments.

AFC Leopards defender confirms departure after a two-year stay

Seasoned defender Tedian Esilaba has parted ways with Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) giants AFC Leopards.

The departure marks the end of a dedicated two-and-a-half-year stint, during which Esilaba left an indelible mark on the club's history.

AFC Leopards player salary

The basic salary of AFC Leopard players ranges between 70,000 ($486) – Ksh.85,000 ($590) per month. It is exclusive of training allowances and other bonuses that the players enjoy.

AFC Leopards players earn Ksh. 9,000 ($62) as a winning bonus.