Kenya: AFC Leopards Coach Tells Fans to Forget Title This Season

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Muigai Kiguru

15 June 2011

AFC Leopards coach Nick Yakhama has delivered a deafening message to the Ingwe faithful, saying his mission is to finish in the top five and not to win the Kenyan Premier League.

Yakhama said with the current re-organisation at the club that has seen nine first team members released, it will only be wise to be realistic in the campaign and seek for an achievable feat this year.”The fans should understand that winning the league this year will be asking for too much,” said Yakhama. “We are seeking to build on a team that will go all out to challenge for the title next year, which will be a more achievable mission then.”

He, however, did not rule out the possibility of clinching the title depending on how things turn out on the top of the table.”If the teams at the top of the premiership fail to cling onto their spots and we feel it is time to challenge for the title, then we shall do it with precision,” added Yakhama.

Leopards lie tenth on the table standings with 16 points from 12 matches, 12 points behind leaders Rangers FC who have two more games. The former giants take on Mathare United tomorrow evening in a rescheduled league fixture.

The team has so far secured the services of Charles Okwemba, formerly of Rangers FC, former Harambee Stars striker Francis Chinjili from Western Stima, Jimmy Bagaye from Nairobi City Stars and Mike Baraza from Ulinzi. “We are targeting seven experienced players as we already have 21 young players and we believe a combination between experience and youthful talent will be good for the team,” he said. The players will be tasked in forming a solution after the release of nine first team players two-weeks ago on disciplinary measures.

He was speaking yesterday at the teams training ground at State House ground when the club executive unveiled the official replica jersey. The jersey will be the traditional blue and white hooped home stripes and which will retail at Sh1,500 each from Jawamed Stores at Afya Centre, Imbaare Stores in Kawangware, Buru Tents in BuruBuru and Prisons grills in Langata. The jersey will also be distributed nationally by authorized dealers at SportsBizz Limited.

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