Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, or simply known as AFC, Leopards or Ingwe (Luyia for '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
 | |||
| Full name | Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Ingwe (The Leopards) | ||
| Short name | AFC, Leopards | ||
| Founded | 12 March 1964 | ||
| Ground | Nyayo National Stadium Nairobi | ||
| Capacity | 15,000 | ||
| Chairman | Dan Shikanda | ||
| Head Coach | Tomáš Trucha | ||
| League | Kenyan Premier League | ||
| 2022–23 | Kenyan Premier League, 9th of 18 | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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
- 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
Players
Current squad
- As of 2 November 2020
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | FW |  KEN | Dan Sunguti |
| 21 | DF | KEN | Collins Shichenje |
| 22 | DF | KEN | Collins Shivachi |
| 23 | MF | KEN | Austin Odhiambo |
| 24 | DF | KEN | Omar Somobwana |
| 25 | DF | KEN | Lewis Bandi |
| 25 | MF | KEN | Clyde Senaji |
| 26 | MF | KEN | Marvin Nabwire |
| 27 | FW | KEN | Jaffery Odeny Awiti |
| 40 | MF |  SSD | Saad Musa |
| 77 | FW | KEN | Caleb Olilo |
| 99 | GK |  UGA | Benjamin Ochan |
| – | FW | KEN | Dan Sunguti |
| – | MF | KEN | Sellasie Otieno (On loan from Liberty Sports Academy) |
| – | MF |  GHA | Gideon Waja |
Out On Loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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[9] |
| Secretary General | Gilbert Andugu[9] |
| Treasurer | Oliver Napali Imbenzi[9] |
| Committee Member | Diana Obbayi[10] |
| Committee Member | Caroline Walusaga[10] |
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 |
 | Jan Koops | 2012 |
 | Luc Eymael | 2013 |
| | Hendrik Pieter De Jongh | 2014[11] |
 | 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 till present
† Interim Manager
See also
References
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