Leopards sharpen their claws

Former Premier League champions AFC Leopards are stopping at nothing in their revival strategy and have gone hunting for new stars in Zimbabwe and Nigeria ahead on next season’s action.

Leopards - fresh from one season in second tier football - have enlisted two Nigerian and one Zimbabwean for their pre-season trials in Nairobi and one more west African is expected at Leopards’Ikulu training ground.

Spotted in major leagues

Leopards’ marketing and corporate affairs director, Richard Ekhalie, said the players Umekwe Ekene and Joseph Ekema from Nigeria and Zimbabwean Tafazwa Dondo will be signed if they satisfy the team’s technical bench.

Ekhalie who did not give more information about the players but only added that they were spotted in major leagues in Africa.

The official, who addressed journalists on Tuesday during the team’s roll-out plan, said Leopards is chasing signatures of four internationals and three of its former players.

In their plan, Leopards will start with a Western Road Trip between December and 21 that will go through Kitale, Bungoma and Kakamega with two exhibition matches on the cards.

Club’s new logo

Leopards chairman, Alex Ole Magelo, said the lap of honour is to thank its bedrock supporters for sticking with the club throughout its lifetime, even in its spell in second division football last season.

The trip will be followed by a VIP Sh20,000-a-plate relaunch dinner at Charter Hall on January 7. There will be Sh300-per-plate meals also on offer.

“Ingwe (Leopards) is back with a bang and let the Isukuti drums beat for ever.”

To be unveiled during the re-launch on January 7 are club’s new logo and website while the treasurer’s report will also be presented along with the unveiling of Leopards’ merchandise, season ticket and membership programmes.

The team is also planing a major members’ recruitment drive at Nairobi’s Railways Club on January 24 with emphasis on a branch network membership registration, the officials said on Tuesday.

The launch of the ‘Ingwe Youth Program’ (IYP) is also scheduled for February 3 in Nairobi with an objective to identify and develop young talent between 11 and 17 years.

The programme will incorporate a comprehensive coaching programme utilising former Leopards players.

A supporter of Leopards (SOL) launch is also set for February 13, to be followed by a media launch on April 8.