One of Kenya's most successful clubs, AFC Leopards is still yet off the hook in terms of financial constraints amid turmoil as the league itself is still without a title sponsor.
Following the ban imposed on Leopards by world governing body Fifa from signing players, head coach Patrick Aussiems is now pessimistic about the team’s chances of challenging for the 2020/21 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title. Aussems, who reunited with the club on Monday after an extended holiday in his native Belgium, was brutally honest, saying the club’s fans should not expect a good performance as long as the embargo by the world football governing body Fifa continues.
“I can legitimately say that we shall be reduced to strugglers if we don’t sign experienced players. Obviously, the league is a marathon and prudence dictates that if you don’t sign quality players you should forget winning the title as well,” Aussiems said. “I'm not supernatural to produce results with developmental players which is why the issue needs to be fast tracked by the authorities and especially after we lost the services of key players in the last transfer window,” he added.
The well seasoned tactician who has had coaching stints in Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Tanzania made the plea even as the team’s technical bench is preparing a team which is predominantly made of players from the junior ranks ahead of the resumption of the league on October 15. The club decided to go for players in the youth team to bolster the playing unit as they race against time to clear salary arrears of their former head coach Casa Mbungo and former players Soter Kayumba and goalkeeper Eric Bakame Ndayishimiye.
Among the key players Leopards lost was goal-scoring machine Elvis Rupia, Robinson Kamura, Hansel Ochieng, John Oyiemba, Benjamin Ochan, Clyde Senaji and Said Tsuma.
In the meantime, Aussiems, who guided Leopards to a fourth place finish last season, said playing before empty stands last season due to the Government’s directive to contain the spread of the Corona virus was some of their biggest challenges they faced. “Of course, the twelve man that are fans motivate a team to do well. In Tanzania where I coached Simba, the stadia used to fill to the brim and the results were there for all to see. I hope the Kenyan government puts safety measures in place for the players to be driven to success by the fans,” said Aussiems.
“You see, most of these players are not used to the rigors of the league but what can I do as a coach? Aussiems posed while reiterating his earlier call for the Leopards management to vouch for the lifting of the ban by Fifa. Subsequently, on September 30th, the club had planned a fundraiser in order to help offset their financial commitments. "Our priority is to clear monies owed to former players and coaches. This will help us appeal to Fifa to lift the transfer ban," explained Francis Imbenzi, chairman of AFC Leopards branch supporters, who was part of the team organising the fundraiser.
Assistant coach Tom Juma said they will be destined for success should the financial issues be resolved at the club: "Once we address the financial issues then we will perform well. Even the teams that finished above us last season are well-financed, the likes of Tusker, KCB, and Bandari," the tactician stated.