Onyino calls for fans’ support of debt-ridden AFC Leopards ahead of City Stars match

NAIROBI: Returning AFC Leopards to financial stability will take some rolling up of sleeves, tightening of belts and the fans’ goodwill, club chairman Walter Onyino, has said.

Onyino’s rallying call comes amid preliminary forensic review of finances showing that for long, the 13-time Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions lived beyond their means, leaving it saddled with a debt of Sh9.431, 363 - excluding arrears in players and technical staff salaries for the 2015 season.

Also, the imprudent and ‘emotional’ decision to sack Dutch coach Hendrick Pieters de Jongh meant AFC Leopards was left with a Sh2.1 million tub in the Den, which is being repaid using broadcast rights fees from KPL.

As such, AFC Leopards are not entitled to monthly broadcast rights fees amounting to Sh550,000 from KPL, as their share goes towards settling debts to former coach and servicing loans from the league body taken at the beginning of the season.

In spite of this mind-blowing dark hole in AFC Leopards’ account, Onyino insists the job can be done, but only if fans take a central role.

“As the office, we have approached several sponsors but negotiations on such matters take time. Some have not taken off due to the timing of our proposals given that many organizations are already into their financial year having made commitments at the start. Fans should, therefore, accept we are in tight spot and it is during such times that we can show our claws and spots by turning up in large numbers during our home matches.

“However, no situation is permanent. In the meantime, we will have to survive on gate collections as we actively look for ways to finance the club beyond December 2015. At this time our priority is towards the players and technical bench as we also look to restructure how the club’s operations have been managed to introduce professionalism and renegotiate all contracts with an aim of getting value for our club” Onyino said in his first comprehensive interview since assuming office on June 30.

“There is enormous goodwill both from within and without the club. I can’t thank enough the coach (Zdravko Logarusic), his staff and the playing unit for the manner they have applied themselves since we came into office,” Onyino said.

“We will be launching a number of initiatives in the coming weeks where among others will invite our fans and members to play a more active role in the running of the club.”

AFC Leopards conducted a fund-raiser on June 23, where they realised Sh5.5 million, which has since been gobbled up by salaries arrears and match-day expenses, but could not wipe out the dark-hole in the club’s account.

Another harambee is penciled for August 7.

Former AFC Leopards defender Peter Lichungu, now the club’s Organising Secretary, called on fans to rally behind the players and coaching staff who he said, “are selfless.”

“Let us show them the love. Can we raise more than Sh1million from the Nairobi City Stars game on Sunday? Let the fans answer that,” Lichungu said.