RISE AND FALL OF AFC: Leopards set to finish season trophy-less despite huge investment

AFC Leopards players break for second half against Tusker during their GOtv Shield quarter-finals match at City Stadium on Sunday 28/09/14.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

How the mighty have fallen! Last season, AFC Leopards came from 12th position in the first leg of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to finish runners-up.
While there were at it, the team managed to lift the GOtv shield trophy giving their loyal fans something to celebrate and a place in continental football.
It was expected that the club would build on their good performance last season to do even better this time around, but after being edged out of the semi-finals of the GOtv shield by Sofapaka, the club will have to endure a trophy-less 2014 season.
What is annoying to most fans is the fact that the club was never wanting in anything. They recruited an expensive coach backed by an even expensively assembled squad but with all this it looks like they will have to do with a top eight KPL finish and that is if they win their remaining matches.
They bowed out of the GOtv shield in disgrace with a heavy fine on their shoulders and a sanction that keeps fans out of their remaining matches after violence caused the abandonment of their match against Sofapaka.
In terms of the depth and finances spent to assemble a squad, Leopards were only competing with former KPL champions Tusker when you compare the two squads.
The club kicked off their spending spree at the beginning of the season by making some big money signings.
Among the expensive signings at the start of the season include former Sony Sugar goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya who cost the club Sh500,000, former Tusker defender Joseph Shikokoti who cost Sh700,000 and last year's top striker Jacob Keli, who was reportedly paid Sh1million to sign for the club as his contract with KCB had run out. Add this to James Situma who also cost Sh1million.
In mid-season Humphrey Mieno crossed over from Sofapaka after Leopards paid Sh1.2million to bring the midfielder on board.
In terms of return on investment, majority of the expensive signings have been a big flog. First, Jacob Keli is yet to replicate the form he had at KCB last season and continues to shoot blanks.
Infact, nowadays, he is a second half substitute and most fans cannot remember the last time he scored a goal.
It was therefore not a surprise when a few months ago, he announced his desire to leave the club for greener pasture.

Another major disappointment has been towering defender Joseph Shikokoti who struggled to fit into the team until new coach Pieter De Jongh found a new role for him in midfield. He has scored twice for Leopards, but continues to struggle to fit in the team.
Kasaya was serving a suspension for alleged indiscipline when the team needed him most and is doubtful to remain at the club next season.
AFC Leopards Secretary General George Aladwa, however, shifts all the blame on their poor show to FKF, Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and their judicial bodies.
"Of course we feel bad that we are ending the season without a trophy. But we did our best despite frustrations from all corners. FKF, KPL and their so called judicial bodies ensured that we were punished in every way," he claimed.
However, former AFC Leopards head coach James Nandwa believes that the frequent change in coaches and players is to blame for a trophy less season in the club.
"To perform at this level, you need consistency in the technical bench and playing unit. Players take time to jell and get used to a coach and his philosophy. If you decide to change then expect such results.
"It is very disappointing that the club can finish the season without a trophy considering all that they have at their disposal. The players are paid well and much more is expected from them," he said.