AFC Leopards, once a dominant force in Kenyan football, faces its most challenging season amid persistent management issues and financial mismanagement. The club, which returned to the Kenya Premier League in 2009, has struggled to maintain stability, recording only three wins and eight losses in 15 matches during the current campaign.
Collins Madegwa, a 20-year-old fan from Western Kenya, criticized the club’s leadership, stating, "The new committee has made things worse. They’re focused on power struggles rather than addressing the club’s needs." Madegwa, who has never witnessed AFC’s continental success, noted declining fan engagement, with supporters increasingly disengaged from matches.
Former player Nick Muyoti highlighted the impact of unstable leadership, citing the club’s 27 coaching changes since 2009. "Every six months, new coaches arrive with different strategies, leaving players unable to adapt," he said. Muyoti also accused management of prioritizing commercial interests over footballing success, including a Ksh156 million sponsorship deal with SportPesa from 2018.
Internal sources revealed that club officials often impose players on coaches, taking a cut from transfer fees. A Ksh500,000 signing fee per player has created opportunities for financial manipulation, with some managers reportedly receiving monthly stipend commissions. "Trials are often a formality; players not at trials are frequently signed," an anonymous insider said.
Football analyst Imran Otieno compared AFC’s struggles to English club Newcastle United, noting, "Poor management and recruitment have kept them from competing at the top." Despite a 2013 GoTV shield win under Jan Koops, the club has failed to replicate that success, with only one additional title under Robert Matano.
Current manager Andre Casa Mbungo, recommended by club leadership, has yet to reverse the decline. AFC has secured just one win in four matches, scoring two goals. Fans like Madegwa remain hopeful but frustrated, stating, "We need to support the team even when results are poor. We can’t abandon our club."
Analysts suggest restructuring management with football experts and former players to improve scouting and strategy. However, the club’s reliance on self-serving leaders and flawed election processes continues to hinder progress.
