AFC Leopards will in June elect a new chairman among other top posts in the club. The current chairman Dan Mule says he is not interested in seeking re-election when his three-year tenure comes to a close. Five candidates have expressed interest in replacing Mule at the den.
Among those eyeing the seat are former Kenyan internationals Dan Shikanda and Boniface Ambani. The two have vowed to not only professionalise operations at AFC Leopards but also mastermind its rejuvenation to reclaim lost glory on the local and domestic fronts if elected chairman.
Also interested in the top seat are Kakamega-based businessman Maurice Amahwa, Richard Ekhalie and Ronald Namai, both of whom have previously served as the club’s chief executive officer.
AFC, which is considered one of the biggest teams in East and Central Africa has not had a consistent form over the last decade as they continuously struggle on and off the pitch thanks to management issues. They are, however, still considered a big club and even though they are yet to win a league title since 1998.
Frequent change in team management has proved to be disadvantageous to the club. The team has a had 27 managers over the last decade.
Ingwe currently seems to have found its spark under Rwandan tactician Andre Casa Mbungo as they have been performing quite well in recent matches. When Mbungo came in to replace Marko Vasiljevic, the club was relegation-threatened but after three months in charge, they have improved to position 10 in Kenya’s top flight football league.
As the club prepares for the election, fans will expect the new regime to work on building what Mule has been doing to see the club register even better results. Making major changes at the club will see it struggle to adapt.
Shikanda has spoken about bringing new signings to the club in his campaign.
“We have consistently failed to sign quality players and that’s why we perform poorly. (If elected) I have a set up a system in place to sign six quality players at the end of the season. Our performances will improve and this will lure fans back to the stadium,” Shikanda was quoted by a local daily.
“I also played professionally in India, Malaysia, and Tanzania, from where I gathered enough tips to revolutionize the club for the better. I am not using this post as a step towards politics as some of my opponents,” Ambani said in a statement.
Current club secretary Oscar Igaida says the club is finalising its membership list ahead of the polls.
“Our three-year tenure has come to an end and we will be heading to the polls as required by our constitution. We are finalising the membership list which doubles up as the register of those eligible to vote, and we hope to announce the election date this week,” Igaida said.
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Igaida has also confirmed the club members will under the new laws elect only three officials namely the chairman, secretary general and treasurer. Other positions including assistant treasurer and organising secretary will be abolished.
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