# A.F.C. Leopards

Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, is a Kenyan professional football club based in Nairobi. It currently competes in the Kenyan Premier League, the top tier of the Kenyan football league system, and was founded in 1964 by football lovers from the Luhya community. With 12 top-flight league titles to their name, AFC Leopards is Kenya's third most successful club behind Tusker FC (13 titles) and Gor Mahia (18 titles), the latter with whom they regularly contest the Mashemeji Derby. The team currently plays most of its home games at the Nyayo National Stadium
AFC Leopards' standing as one of the most successful clubs in the region is underlined by the fact that it has won the Kenyan Premier League 12 times. AFC Leopards has also won the Kenya Cup 10 times, and the CECAFA Club Championship 5 times.
The club was formed in 1964 as Abaluhya United Football Club. In 1973 the club changed its name to Abaluhya Football Club when a number of small clubs amalgamated. In 1980 the club was renamed AFC Leopards, the name it holds until present.
In 2008 they played in the Nationwide League and won the title in their zone. They returned to the Kenyan Premier League for the 2009 season in which it also won the KFF Cup.

## History
### The 1960s

From the 1960s or even earlier; the notion and formation of various Abaluhya teams for invitational matches became the forerunner of what eventually would become Abaluhya United. On 12 March 1964, the East African Standard newspaper published a report on the birth of a new club known as Abaluhya Football Club, which resulted from the amalgamation of Marama, Samia United and Bunyore; all Nairobi based clubs that were in Division 1 of the Kenya National Football League. The amalgamation process also included lower division clubs such as Kisa, Tiriki, Bukusu Brotherhood, Busamia, Lurambi, Butsotso, Bushibungo and Eshirotsa thus building its base and establishments that would make it a success in the future.

### The 1970s and 80s: Legacy building and golden era

This was a period of sustained performance from the club, which brought it more fame. This included winning the Kenya National Football League in an unbeaten fashion, in the process becoming the first Kenyan club to do so.
AFC Leopards marked the 80s by marking a period of dominance majorly in the domestic and regional scene.

### The 1990s and 2000s

In the 90s, achievements became less frequent, although in general, the team continued to win some championships thus never suffering a considerable title drought.
The beginning of dismal campaigns for the following 10 years, including relegation from the top tier.

## Honours
### League

* Kenya National Football League/Kenyan Super League/Kenyan Premier League
** Champions (12): 1966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998
* Kenyan Nationwide League
** Champions (Promoted): 2008

### Cup

* FKF President's Cup: 10
** Champions (10): 1967, 1968,1984, 1985, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2009, 2013, 2017
** Runners-up: 1987, 1997, 2000, 2003
* CECAFA Club Cup: 5
** Champions (5): 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1997.
** Runner's Up: 1974, 1980, 1985
* CECAFA Nile Basin Cup
** Runners-up: 2014

## Performance in CAF competitions
### African Cup of Champions Clubs/CAF Champions League

* First round exits: 1971, 1972, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1993, 1999
* Second round exits: 1989
* Quarter-finals: 1974, 1990
* Semi-final: 1968

### CAF Confederation Cup

* Preliminary round exits: 2010

### CAF Cup

* Quarter-finals: 1994, 1997

### African Cup Winners' Cup

* First round exits: 1992, 1992, 2002
* Second round exits: 1986
* Quarter-final exits: 1988
* Semi-final exits: 1985

## Players
### Current squad

    As of 2 November 2020
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 3 | DF | KEN | Washington Munene |
| 5 | DF | KEN | Tedian Esilaba |
| 7 | MF | KEN | Victor Otieno |
| 8 | MF | KEN | Brian Wanyama |
| 11 | FW | KEN | Hansel Ochieng |
| 12 | DF | KEN | Isaac Kipyegon (Captain) |
| 13 | FW | BDI | Bienvenue Shaka |
| 14 | MF | KEN | Peter Thiongo |
| 15 | DF | KEN | Robert Mudenyu |
| 16 | GK | KEN | Maxwell Mulili |
| 17 | MF | RWA | Fabrice Mugheni |
| 18 | FW | KEN | Boniface Mukhekhe |
| 19 | MF | KEN | Eugene Mukangula |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 20 | FW | KEN | Dan Sunguti |
| 21 | DF | KEN | Collins Shichenje |
| 22 | DF | KEN | Collins Shivachi |
| 23 | MF | KEN | Austin Odhiambo |
| 24 | DF | KEN | Omar Somobwana |
| 25 | DF | KEN | Lewis Bandi |
| 25 | MF | KEN | Clyde Senaji |
| 26 | MF | KEN | Marvin Nabwire |
| 27 | FW | KEN | Jaffery Odeny Awiti |
| 40 | MF | SSD | Saad Musa |
| 77 | FW | KEN | Caleb Olilo |
| 99 | GK | UGA | Benjamin Ochan |
| – | FW | KEN | Dan Sunguti |
| – | MF | KEN | Sellasie Otieno (On loan from Liberty Sports Academy) |
| – | MF | GHA | Gideon Waja |

### Out On Loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| – | GK | KEN | Maxwell Mulili (at Zoo Kericho) |
| – | MF | KEN | Dan Musamali (at Nzoia Sugar) |

## Footballing and medical staff

| Position | Name |
| Head coach | Tomáš Trucha |
| Assistant coach | Fred Ambani |
| Goalkeeper coach | Haggai Azande |
| Team Manager | Bernard Mang'oli |
| Team Doctor | Patrick Ngusale |
| Physiotherapist | Joshua Osir |
| Fitness coach | Vincent Mbwabi |

## Board of directors

| Position | Name |
| Chairman | Dan Shikanda |
| Secretary General | Gilbert Andugu |
| Treasurer | Oliver Napali Imbenzi |
| Committee Member | Diana Obbayi |
| Committee Member | Caroline Walusaga |

## Coaches and managers

| Jonathan Niva | 1966– 1970 |
| Jonathan Niva | 1973– 1977 |
| Robert Kiberu | 1979– 1984 |
| Gerry Saurer | 1984–1985 |
| Graham Williams | 1986– 1987 |
| Joe Masiga | 1987 (player/manager) |
| Charles Gyamfi | 1988– 1991 |
| Reuben Malola | 1991– 1993 |
| Jan Koops | 2012 |
| Luc Eymael | 2013 |
| Hendrik Pieter De Jongh | 2014 |
| Zdravko Logarušić | 2015 |
| Jan Koops | 2016 |
| Ivan Minnaert | 2016 |
| Stewart Hall | 2016– 2017 |
| Dorian Marin | 2017 |
| Robert Matano | 2017– 2018 |
| Rodolfo Zapata | 2018 |
| Nikola Kavazović | 2018 |
| Marko Vasiljević | 2018– 2019 |
| Andre Cassa Mbungo | 2019– 2020 |
| Anthony Kimani | 2020 |
| Tomáš Trucha | 2020 |
| Anthony Kimani† | 2020– 2021 |
| Patrick Aussems | 2021– 2023 |
| Tomáš Trucha | 2023– (present) |