I was forced to step down to save AFC from punishment, says Walter Onyino

By Gilbert Wandera

Nairobi, Kenya: Former AFC Leopards vice-chairman Walter Onyino has revealed why he quit from the club on Monday.

Onyino said he was forced to step down in order to save the club from any punishment and claimed that some people wanted to use him as an excuse to harm the team.

“My being at the club was becoming a liability because I was being targeted personally and this could have affected the team. The best decision was to quit and try and help from outside,” he said.

Onyino, who has vowed to go to court to protect a television deal between the club and Zuku Sports, said he will do it as an individual so that whatever consequences that may arise, the club will not be affected.

“I want to point out that this matter is far from over and also dismiss reports that the deal with Zuku has been cancelled.

The deal was never between Leopards and Kenyan Premier League (KPL), but the club and Zuku and it can only be cancelled if the two agree,” he said.

Onyino also ruled himself out of Saturday’s club elections, saying he will serve the team from outside.

Onyino was among three candidates for the chairman’s position. Others are Allan Kasavuli and Mathews Opwora.

At the same time, SuperSport has confirmed they are ready to air the club’s matches as soon as it is confirmed they have terminated the deal with Zuku Sports.

SuperSport East Africa General Manager Auka Gacheo said the company has nothing personal against the club, but are only keen to protect their interests.

“We are spending a lot of money on sponsoring the league and it is important that our rights are respected. We have no issue with Leopards or any other club in whatever they do as long as our deal is respected,” he quipped.

SuperSport had stopped airing live matches involving Leopards until they terminate the deal with Zuku.

At the same time, Gacheo has denied that SuperSport stopped disbursing funds to KPL until the matter is resolved.

“We have done no such thing as claimed in some quarters,” said Gacheo.

“It is KPL chairman James Musyoki who claimed last Friday that  SuperSport has blocked grants to the company until the matter is resolved.”

Musyoki said the situation had put clubs under a tight financial situation and it is the reason they gave Leopards 72 hours to terminate their deal with Zuku Sports.