Trouble brewing in Leopards’ den

Matthew Ottomax [www.sportpicha.co.ke/Stafford Ondego]

Trouble is brewing in AFC Leopards’ den after goalkeeper trainer Matthew Owino Ottamax labelled to a section of the players as ‘cartels’ and ‘extortionists’.

In a stern long post on his Facebook account, the former Kenyan international claimed a group of an unidentified players has been bullying young players and holding the club at ransom as well as deciding when to win and lose matches.

This comes barely two weeks after Argentine coach Rodolfo Zapata parted ways with the SportPesa Premier League side on a mutual consent following a string of poor results.  

Leopards, who were strongly in contention for a top three finish in the just concluded season, finished a distant seventh position after losing their last four league matches. Ingwe also surrendered their FKF Shield title after falling 1-0 to Sofapaka in the semi finals.

“We will blame the Executive Office, we will blame the Coaching Staff and to some extent we will blame the Medical Staff or even the back room support staff,” read Ottamax’s post.

“What we actually don’t see are the real culprits - the cancerous type of players who slowly eat up to the good bits within the playing unit. This is a bold statement from me because I know it will win me more dislikes than likes from the suspects, but just like my WhatsApp motto goes. This is Ottamax...It’s Like I Care! As a player in yesteryears, I served my time wholeheartedly for my respective clubs!”

Ottamax, who featured for both AFC and their rivals Gor Mahia during his hey days continued: “AFC Leopards Soccer Club is one of the best facilitated football teams as far as players’ welfare is concerned, and this leaves you wondering what could be the problem when it comes to grinding results!

“Cartels !!! I fear for the growth of Kenyan Football. We are breeding cartels in the name of players! These are not footballers but Kamjesh or plainly call them extortionist. The ones who will decide when a coach should go, always coaching their coaches, coming for training when they want, want to run the office, bully hard working new young players.”

“To me you are a terrorists! Always holding the entire community and football lovers to ransom! Choosing when to win, or lose .”

Although the club’s Secretary General Oscar Igaida distanced himself from the wild allegations, he denied reports that they have sacked their entire technical bench and released five key players. “Those are Ottamax’s personal opinion and we have to respect them. I can neither condemn nor support them. We will meet the technical bench soon.”