The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Lion Matano primed for return to Leopards' Den

Football

By Rodgers Eshitemi | Jul 06, 2017

Former AFC Leopards coach Robert "The Lion" Matano could be returning to the Kenyan Premier League giants to succeed Romanian Dorian Marin.

The struggling Ingwe were left searching for their 14th coach in seven years after the National Executive Committee controversially sacked Marin barely 14 days after his hiring.

With nobody to take over from the Romanian, the management went for their former player Tom Juma and offered him an assistant coach role.

But after Juma was given a rude welcome by Kariobangi Sharks, who clawed Leopards 2-0 in last weekend’s Kenyan Premier League match in Nakuru, the coaches’ conundrum in the den seems to be far from over.

The hot seat now appears to have attracted interest from top coaches both locally and internationally including former Sofapaka tacticians Sam Timbe and Matano.

Keep Reading

However, reports indicate that Matano, who won the 2009 and 2012 league titles with Sofapaka and Tusker respectively, could be unveiled on Friday.

Matano has emerged as the top favourite after the club management was scared away by Timbe’s hefty contractual demands.

This could be the fourth return for the current National Super League side Bidco United coach to the den after he was fired in 2010, 2011 and 2014 as a coach and a technical bench director respectively.

“Timbe was part of our target but his terms are unrealistic. He wants to come with three of his assistants. That means we will have to spend more than a million shillings on their salaries. We are still discussing with a number of top coaches including Matano. The final decision will be made on Friday,” AFC Leopards CEO Ronald Namai told The Standard Sports.

But when contacted, Timbe denied having any contact with anyone in the Leopards executive.

“That’s interesting. I have not been contacted by anyone from AFC Leopards. Maybe, they just want to use me as scape goat for their own interests. Did I come with my own assistants at Sofapaka?,’’ asked the Ugandan.

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards have parted ways with Team Manager Tony Lidonde and goalkeeper trainer Alex Mwangi.

This comes barely a fortnight after Romanian coach Dorian Marin was shown the door by the 12th placed Leopards.

“We have officially parted ways with Lidonde and Mwangi. They had some issues with NEC, that’s why they have been dismissed. We have not yet appointed their replacements,” said Namai.