Zapata beats off competition from Gomez, Mayanga to land AFC Leopards coaching job

Mike Kibwage (L) of AFC Leopards SC contest for ball with George Abege of Sony Sugar FC during their Kenyan Premier League match at Awendo Green stadium in Migori county on March 04, 2018. AFC Leopards SC won 2-0. [Photo/Kelly]

AFC Leopards National Executive Committee has set lofty targets for their incoming coach Rodolfo Zapata.

The experienced Argentine coach’s main target will be to end Leopards’ 20 year Kenyan Premier League title drought. He arrives in the country tomorrow night to replace Dennis Kitambi.

Zapata will officially take over from the Tanzanian on May 7, when Kitambi departs for Bangladesh to further his coaching career, as he works with his former boss Stewart Hall at Sai Sporting Club.

He will be understudying Kitambi in the upcoming four league matches starting with Bandar, Kariobangi Sharks, Vihiga United and Chemelil Sugar, as he adapts to the domestic league.

The 51-year-old Argentine beat off stiff competition from Frenchman Didier Gomez Da Rosa and Tanzania’s Salim Mayanga to become Ingwe’s 13th coach since 2014.

But even as Leopards prepare to hand the former Gaborone United (Botswana), MP Black Aces (South Africa) and Sunshine Stars (Nigeria) coach a contract, they have made their targets known.

Apart from reclaiming the title they last won in 1998, Zapata’s other duty in the den will be to fully implement the possession and attacking style of football introduced by his predecessor.

 “Zapata was flexible in many things, including terms and his style of play. We wanted someone who can continue from where Kitambi left. In his CV, he showed that he is such type of coach who loves possession and attacking football. We are enjoying that style,” AFC Secretary General Oscar Igaida told Standard Sports.

“We have already discussed with him and he knows what we want. “We are giving him a short term-contract with a target of at least winning the title. If he wins the Shield Trophy it will be a bonus for him. But generally, the team’s performance at the end of the season will determine a lot of things.

He added: “Kitambi has introduced a style that everybody is in love with, that is why we are bringing in Zapata, a man with similar philosophy. Kitambi’s philosophy has perfectly fitted into the team and we feel we should own it.”

“We want someone who can help us develop a philosophy such that when a new coach comes in, he is able to adapt to our style. It has always been the other way round, that’s why we have been having a high turnover in the playing unit.”

“Coaches come and go, but the team remains. We want to have our way of life and stop this idea of recruiting many players. The current players have long term contracts and we have asked Kitambi to give us performance assessment of each player before he leaves.”

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