Leopards set to unveil squad and new coach

By ERICK OCHIENG’

AFC Leopards will this week unveil their six new signings for the 2013 season. The team will also unveil the yet to be named new coach next week.

The team will contract a squad of 25 players for this season. Club chairman Alex ole Magelo said all the players will have opportunity to play for the club in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) unlike in 2012 when some players ended the year without stepping on the pitch.

“I urge the players to come for training every day and on time to be legible for fielding,” said assistant coach Tom Olaba, who was introduced to the team by Magelo on Monday at the City Stadium in Nairobi.

Olaba, a former national Under-23 coach, had been coaching Azam in Tanzania until recently when he returned home.

Nicholas Muyoti was also confirmed by Magelo as team manager for the club.

AFC dropped 13 players ahead of the 2013 season after the club failed to clinch KPL despite having led the standings with a 17 point margin at one point.

Magelo has also confirmed that the club is in negotiation with former player Hamisi Kinje, who left last year to ply trade for Simba SC in Tanzania.

“We expect Kinje on January 13 and if the negotiation is successful we will sign him,” said Magelo.

The chairman has urged his charges to be discipline at club and international level.

Striker Paul Were from the club was recently on the limelight giving Harambee Stars head coach James Nandwa hard times at the Cecafa Senior Challenge in Kampala, Uganda, and during the?? Chan preparations in Nairobi.

Magelo said he is grateful to the club supporters who have been with the team through thick and thin and has dared his opponents to come forward and hijack the club.

“I urge Football Kenya Federation to curb these amorphous groups who are out to destabilise clubs by threatening to overturn leaderships.

They should know there are systems to be followed which include legitimate elections.

I want to state categorically that AFC Leopards elections are in June,” said Magelo. ?

Turf wars have been blamed for the club’s failure to clinch the KPL last season.