Beleaguered AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has once again promised his seething fan base the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) title.
In an apparent ploy to placate the Ingwe fraternity following an underwhelming 2022/2023 season capped by a chaotic Annual General Meeting ten days ago, Shikanda defended the club from criticism of finishing a lowly seventh in the league and without a trophy.
Pressure has increased on his regime following their Ingo rivals Kakamega Homeboyz’ success in the Mozzart Bet Cup which has ushered the rural club into continental football.
“Our situation was very difficult last season owing to the transfer embargo placed on AFC Leopards by FIFA. We played the league with sixteen players and out of the 16 three got long-term injuries so we finished with just thirteen players,” Shikanda lamented
The former Kenyan international who played for both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards however, welcomed the end of the transfer embargo which will free AFC Leopards to inject new blood into the squad.
“We have identified seven players from the local setting and we are in hot pursuit with intent to sign them. With those carefully selected players, we will be very competitive and I can tell you without batting an eyelid that we will win the KFK Premier League next season,” a thoroughly straight-looking Shikanda said
He is counting on the cohesion and continuity in the club to help end Ingwe’s league drought that dates back to 1998. A majority of the players will be retained and Shikanda also confirmed that Belgian tactician Patrick Aussems will be at the dugout next season.
“Definitely, Aussems will be back to take charge of the team because we believe he has the pedigree to take this team forward. He’s got enough local knowledge of the league, knows the players he has, and helped identify the targets we are pursuing,” added the chairman.
