Leopards ready to dump Yakhama for new coach

By Gilbert Wandera

AFC Leopards are looking for a new coach ahead of next season. The newly elected Secretary General Robert Asembo said yesterday the contract for the current coach Nick Yakhama has expired and they need to replace him.

Said Asembo: "Yakhama’s contract is no longer valid. We are therefore calling for qualified coaches to apply for the job. Yakhama is also free to apply for consideration."

Apart from the coaching position, Asembo said there is also a vacancy in the team manager’s position currently held by Tony Lidonde. Yakhama joined Leopards four months ago and is credited with turning around the club helping them to survive relegation and also win the Football Kenya Cup, which saw them qualify to play continental football next year for the first time in more than 10 years.

Asembo at the same time revealed Leopards have embarked on a serious recruitment of players and have been boosted by their recent tour of Western Province.

"We have identified about seven players from the Western tour whom we intend to recruit in our new squad," he said.

He revealed that they would release more than ten players and bring in fresh blood ahead of next season.

"We are focused and determined to do well next year. We do not want to be caught up in the same position struggling to survive against relegation," he said.

Asembo described their just concluded Western tour as a success as it has helped them judge the potential of the current squad as well as identify areas that need to be improved. The current Leopards’ office were elected mid last month for a term of one year.