A.F.C. Leopards
| Full name | Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Ingwe (The Leopards) | ||
| Short name | AFC | ||
| Founded | 12 March 1964 | ||
| Ground | Nyayo National Stadium Nairobi | ||
| Capacity | 18,000[1] | ||
| Chairman | Dan Shikanda | ||
| Head coach | Fred Ambani | ||
| League | Kenyan Premier League | ||
| 2024–25 | KPL, 6th of 18 | ||
| Website | www | ||
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Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, is a Kenyan professional 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.[2] 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.[3]
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.[4] 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.[5]
Several teams in the Kenyan football league system are intimately linked to ethnic groups in Kenya; AFC Leopards are considered to represent the Luhya people of Western Kenya.
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. [6]
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.[7]
AFC Leopards marked the 80s by marking a period of dominance majorly in the domestic and regional scene.[8]
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.[9]
The beginning of dismal campaigns for the following 10 years, including relegation from the top tier.[9]
Club Identity
A.F.C. Leopards has historical ties to the Luhya people, one of Kenya’s largest ethnic groups, who are primarily located in Western Kenya.[10] The club was founded in 1964 as Abaluhya United FC, with the purpose of providing a platform for Luhya players based in Nairobi and other areas. This origin established a cultural link between the club and the Luhya people, which has influenced its identity over the years. The connection to the Luhya community is evident in the composition of players, coaches, and officials associated with the club, many of whom come from Western Kenya, especially Kakamega and nearby counties. This regional representation has contributed to a fan base that identifies with the club through shared ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In 1978, President Daniel arap Moi reaffirmed a policy initiated under Jomo Kenyatta that required all civic and sporting organisations in Kenya to remove names with explicit ethnic identifiers.[11] As a result, Abaluhya Football Club, which had been associated with the Luhya community since its founding in 1964, formally changed its name to All Footballers Confederation Leopards Sports Club, commonly known as A.F.C. Leopards. Nevertheless, while A.F.C. Leopards has grown to attract supporters from various parts of Kenya, the relationship with the Luhya community remains an important aspect of the club’s identity.
A.F.C. Leopards has a long history of political patronage from prominent Luhya leaders. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Martin Shikuku and Moses Mudavadi (father of Musalia Mudavadi) served as early patrons, using their influence to secure employment for players in the civil service and to support club operations.[12] More recently, Musalia Mudavadi, leader of the Amani National Congress and a lifelong Ingwe supporter, has provided direct financial assistance to the club. In June 2020, he donated KSh 633,000 to clear land rates on the 20-acre parcel allocated to the club in Kasarani and has pledged further support for a permanent stadium complex.[13] A.F.C. Leopards has also attracted backing from other Luhya politicians, including Alfred Sambu (former Webuye East MP and ex-chairman of the club) and Cyrus Jirongo,[12] as well as regional leaders such as Ken Lusaka and Edwin Sifuna, who in 2024 publicly endorsed plans to corporatise the club and invited wider investment to secure its financial future.[14]
Honours
League
- Kenya National Football League/Kenyan Super League/Kenyan Premier League
- Champions (12): 1966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998
- Kenyan Nationwide League
- Champions (Promoted): 2008
Cup
- FKF President's Cup: 10
- Champions (10): 1967, 1968,1984, 1985, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2009, 2013, 2017
- Runners-up: 1987, 1997, 2000, 2003
- CECAFA Club Cup: 5
- Champions (5): 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1997.
- Runner's Up: 1974, 1980, 1985
- CECAFA Nile Basin Cup
- Runners-up: 2014
Performance in CAF competitions
- First round exits: 1971, 1972, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1993, 1999
- Second round exits: 1989
- Quarter-finals: 1974, 1990
- Semi-final: 1968
- Preliminary round exits: 2010
- First round exits: 1992, 1992, 2002
- Second round exits: 1986
- Quarter-final exits: 1988
- Semi-final exits: 1985
Players
Current squad
- As of 2 November 2020
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out On Loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Footballing and medical staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Tomáš Trucha |
| Assistant 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
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Dan Shikanda[15] |
| Secretary General | Gilbert Andugu[15] |
| Treasurer | Oliver Napali Imbenzi[15] |
| Committee Member | Diana Obbayi[16] |
| Committee Member | Caroline Walusaga[16] |
Coaches and managers
| Jonathan Niva | 1966– 1970 | |
| Jonathan Niva | 1973– 1977 | |
| Robert Kiberu | 1979– 1984 | |
| Gerry Saurer | 1984–1985 | |
| Graham Williams | 1986– 1987 | |
| Joe Masiga | 1987 (player/manager) | |
| Charles Gyamfi | 1988– 1991 | |
| Reuben Malola | 1991– 1993 | |
| Jan Koops | 2012 | |
| Luc Eymael | 2013 | |
| Hendrik Pieter De Jongh | 2014[17] | |
| Zdravko Logarušić | 2015 | |
| Jan Koops | 2016 | |
| Ivan Minnaert | 2016 | |
| Stewart Hall | 2016– 2017 | |
| Dorian Marin | 2017 | |
| Robert Matano | 2017– 2018 | |
| Rodolfo Zapata | 2018 | |
| Nikola Kavazović | 2018 | |
| Marko Vasiljević | 2018– 2019 | |
| Andre Cassa Mbungo | 2019– 2020 | |
| Anthony Kimani | 2020 | |
| Tomáš Trucha | 2020 | |
| Anthony Kimani† | 2020– 2021 | |
| Patrick Aussems | 2021– 2023 | |
| Tomáš Trucha | 2023– (present) |
See also
References
- ^ https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/110342-sold-out-stadium-what-you-know-vs-what-law-says
- ^ "Kenya - List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
- ^ admin. "The 2000s: Little success and decline". Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ Daily Nation, 5 January 2004: Oyugi speaks on state of soccer Archived 17 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Kenyafootball, 17 November 2008: AFC Leopards confirmed for 2009 Premier League Archived 16 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ admin (18 March 2019). "The 1960s: The Good Beginnings". AFC Leopards SC. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ admin (18 March 2019). "The 1970s: Legacy Building". AFC Leopards SC. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ admin (18 March 2019). "The 1980s: The Golden Era". AFC Leopards SC. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ a b admin (18 March 2019). "The 1990s: The New Era". AFC Leopards SC. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Onyango, Washington (11 February 2023). "Mashemeji Derby: What makes record league champions tick". The Standard. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ Njoroge, Gishinga. "Ethnic thread runs in sports: defying stereotype despite ethnic bias". The Standard. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Paralysis at AFC Leopards shows sorry state of local football". The Standard. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ Kinyanjui, Jeff (6 June 2020). "Mudavadi rescues financially crippled AFC Leopards". Nairobi News. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ Ashihundu, John (25 March 2024). "Western leaders back AFC Leopards' privatisation plans". Daily Nation. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ a b c "2022 Annual General Meeting: Club election results". AFC Leopards SC. 27 June 2022. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ a b AFC Leopards [@afcleopards] (16 July 2022). "With this development this is how our NEC looks like ..." (Tweet). Retrieved 17 August 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Troubled Leopards send Dutch coach De Jongh packing". Daily Nation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
Sources
- The Standard, 23 July 2006:Once proud ‘Ingwe’ bite relegation bullet
- Kenya Premier League,8 February 2009 :Over-flowing crowds finally a 'crisis'? Hope Centre ground fails to cope