AFC Leopards' starpower was key to their dominance and success in the 80s

The last time AFC Leopards won the top flight league was in 1998. They won their first title in 1966, the year several Luhya-based clubs united to form Abaluhya Football Club which later became AFC Leopards, commonly known as Ingwe. The club had its golden years in the 80s when they won the league unbeaten in 1986 and 1988.

Abaluhya won the Cecafa Club Championship in 1979 when they beat Kampala City Council 1 – 0 in Mogadishu.  They were not even supposed to feature at the tournament but Kenya Breweries and Gor Mahia opted not to participate. The old generation of Jonathan Niva, Livingstone Madegwa, Aggrey Lukoye and Joe Kadenge had left the scene. The golden era began with Alfred Sambu being elected chairman.