Shikanda confident AFC Leopards ready to win titles

AFC Leopards fans at Kasarani Stadium on March 8, 2020. [Stafford Ondego/Standard]

AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda is upbeat that his team will be ready to dethrone Kenyan Premier League (KPL) record champions Gor Mahia next season.

Speaking during the club’s virtual Annual General Meeting yesterday, Shikanda said despite the recent financial and coronavirus pandemic, the club is on the right path to achieving its objectives and goals on and off the pitch.

“AFC Leopards looks to the future with renewed confidence after a difficult season that saw departure of a key sponsor and now the effects of Covid-19 pandemic,” Shikanda said.

“We are encouraged by the fact that we have managed to ensure the club ran smoothly and met our league obligations. Going forward we need to up our game to compete favourably,” he said.

He said the arrival of a new shirt sponsor, BetSafe, will go a long way to help the club meets its financial obligations.

“It may not be enough, but it is a sign of confidence by sponsors. We call upon for more corporates to partner with AFC Leopards.”

He also said they are looking forward to hold onto their best players and beef up their squad ahead of next season.

“The team is intact as there are no departures so far. There are those whose contracts will be renewed and others let go when time comes. We will definitely have some arrivals to reinforce the team,” Shikanda said.

He added: “Liverpool went for 30 years without an EPL title. We have gone for 22 years and we don’t want to go the Liverpool way. We are keen to build a team that will lift the KPL title sooner.”