AFC Leopards fire Belgian coach Eymael

Luc Eymael (right), Nicholas Muyoti (second right), John Busolo (second left) and Francis Xavier.  [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO / STANDARD]

BY GILBERT WANDERA

AFC Leopards have fired Coach Luc Eymael hardly five months into his two-year contract.

The club has appointed former international and Harambee Stars assistant coach James Nandwa to take over temporarily as they search for a long-term tactician.

Nandwa will be assisted by another former international Mickey Weche, while the position of assistant coach, team manager and goalkeeper trainer will be filled later.

Previously, the position of assistant coach was held by Nicholas Muyoti, while Francis Xavier was the team manager and John Busolo held the position of goalkeeper trainer.

In a brief statement, the club’s chairman Allan Kasavuli said the decision to fire Eymael has been caused by a spate of poor performance the most recent being the 3-1 loss to Chemelil Sugar.

“The executive committee has traced this poor performance to various issues including but not limited to the coach’s high handedness and unending unreasonable demands.

“The new technical bench will be unveiled today to the players at their training ground,” he said.

The club’s Secretary General George Aladwa said they are disappointed by the fact that despite giving Eymael everything he needed, he has failed miserably.

“Just a few months ago he demanded that we increase his salary and improve other conditions in the team and we did. However, there has been no significant change in the team.

“Our contract with him specified that he has to win the league but at this rate, it is becoming impossible and so the best thing is to let him go. Our fans are disappointed and so are the sponsors.

“We ask our fans to support the new team and continue to come out and  rally behind us in our GOtv Shield match against Chemelil on Saturday,” said Aladwa.

He insisted that the club has not given up on the title race pointing out that anything could happen in seven matches.

“The league is still open as we witnessed how teams played at the weekend.  We cannot give up now but must fight to the end,” he said.