Ambani back to restore AFC Leopards lost glory

From winning the last Premier League title for AFC Leopards to being elected the club's chairman, Boniface Ambani knows he has his work cut out.

The former Kenyan international who was in the Ingwe squad that clinched the title in 1998, on Sunday garnered 1101 votes against Enos Mutoka (647) to succeed Dan Shikanda.

For over two decades, 27 years to be exact, the club has been flirting to deceive season after season as their archrival Gor Mahia continue dominating the local scene.

With newly elected Secretary General Isaac Mulindi and Treasurer Newton Lime, the Ambani-led team is fully aware of the task lying ahead of them in their four year term.

The elections was overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

“I'm very excited and grateful for the trust AFC Leopards fans have entrusted in me. Work starts immediately because I know fans expect a lot from us. The Premier League is over, we now have to scrutinise players’ contracts and see which one to retain and release. It's almost 27 years since we last won the title, and having been in that team,I understand what it means. We are here to restore our lost glory, nothing else,” a jubilant Ambani told Standard Sports after the election.

Ambani’s sentiments were echoed by Mulindi and Lime, who said they are out to leave a legacy in the den.

Mulindi got 656 votes against Robert Omusawa (534) and Irine Sitawa (529), while Lime (676) beat Edwin Buhasho (599) and Patrick Logedi (455) to clinch the treasurer post in an exercise that saw 1720 members cast their votes at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, on Sunday.

But the trio together with the secretariat, technical bench and players must do everything possible to bring smiles back on the faces of their ever demanding and trophy-hungry fans.

“We have been given work to do. I contested for this seat knowing the challenges the club is facing. It's a competitive race, but I'm glad I won it. There will be no room for complacency, we must try our best and put the club where it's supposed to be,” said Mulindi.

Lime said: “We need to start building the team now as some players are going. We have to look for more sponsors and sign players who can play for the badge. We are only going to sign quality players with value for money a priority.”

Outgoing AFC Leopards patron Alex Muteshi urged the newly elected office to work in unity and live up to their pre-election promises.

“The exercise has gone smoothly and I think the right people have been voted in. Let them now deliver to the club,” said Muteshi.

Returning Officer Amos Silai praised the club and its members for conducting a smooth and lawful election.

 “This election was conducted according to the law. We encourage all clubs and federations to follow due process and uphold democracy,” said Silai.