Ivan ejected from AFC den, but why?

With Minnaert having paid the price, the post-mortem begins into what might have made the club’s board relieve him of his duties.

Bungled transfer window

After releasing over 13 players terming them surplus to requirements, Minnaert failed to land some of his key transfer targets during the mid-season transfer window. The club had plenty of money to spend but negotiations became protracted and ultimately fruitless with Rayon Sports duo of Ismaila Diarra and Emmanuel Imanishimwe controversially snubbing a move to AFC Leopards. He then turned his attention to Gilbert Fiamenyo and signed him, but the Ghanaian forward was declared ineligible to play AFC until next season. Then the club released influential Clifton Miheso to join South Africa side Golden Arrows as a free agent.

In the end, Minnaert brought in a raft of players including Mousa Sissoko, Paul Kiongera, Ian Otieno and Bernard Mang’oli among others.

Awful results / tactical ineptness

He came when the club was enjoying a fine run and was in the top half of the table, surprising critics who had predicted Ingwe to have a stuttering start to the season. But after second leg, with a new-look squad, the team has been lingering in the bottom half of the table. The poor results seems to have contributed to by what pundits claim as Minnaert’s tactical ineptness and inability to read the game. By most local coaches’ admission, AFC’s current style of play is very predictable.

Leopards suffered their worst losses in the recent past after falling 4-1 to Kakamega Homeboyz (KPL) and 3-0 to Western Stima. With no chances of continental football next season, the management unanimously agreed to send the Belgian who had an even league record in the 21 league matches he has been in charge (seven wins, seven losses and seven draws).

Lost dressing room/Unrest

It’s evident the Belgian had lost the dressing room as a number of players went public to criticize his fielding and tactics. Minnaert seemed to have failed to stamp authority in the team creating division amongst players. He had also fallen out with some of senior players, creating unconducive working environment for himself.

After scoring five goals from the bench in three consecutive matches, club’s leading scorer Kepha Aswani allegedly took to social media to post that he’s quit the club due to lack of enough playing time following their embarrassing defeat to Homeboyz.

The moment the playing unit stops believing in their coach, questions his tactics and stops playing for him, his tenure is always destined to be brought to an end.

Poor fielding / favourism

There are reports that Minnaert was influenced by the management and a section of fans in selecting his squad. Some players were reportedly selected based on their reputation and not form, hence a possibility of the Belgian sabotaging himself by his selection and fielding.

Less transition time

AFC Leopards are known to be quick on hiring and firing coaches club. The trend appears to be made for result oriented reasons despite coaches having limited time to build a team. Before Minnaert was appointed, Jan Koops had served temporarily as the coach after taking over the reins from interim coach Ezekiel Akwana, who had succeeded Zdravko Logarusic last year. Now they are back with Akwana again leaving many wondering how much stability could have been achieved if the management stuck to one coach.

With no doubt, the managerial merry-go-round in the den has really destabilized the club. It seems the firing of Minnaert was made under pressure to find a scape goat for the club’s recent terrible results.