AFC Leopards turn to Juma for assistant coach position

PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Former KCB coach Abdalla Juma gestures to his players from the touchline during a past Tusker Premier League match. Juma was on April 18, 2014 appointed as the AFC Leopards assistant coach.

What you need to know:

  • Days after Vihiga AllStars coach Edward Manoah and former Ulinzi Stars tactician Salim Ali turned down the club's overtures, Leopards made a shock move for Juma who now takes up the role that was left vacant following the sacking of Mickey Weche who was shown the door alongside head coach James Nandwa over a week ago.
  • The former Thika United, Congo United and Bidco FC coach guided the Bankers to their best ever league position last season finishing fourth, with the club also providing the KPL Player of Year and Golden Boot winner in Jacob Keli, the best midfielder in Brian Osumba while keeper Sammy Okinda won the runners-up award in his category.
  • Leopards lie eleventh with 11 points. They have won only twice in the league.

AFC Leopards have settled on former Kenya Commercial Bank tactician Abdalla Juma as their assistant coach with the head coach set to be unveiled next week.

Days after Vihiga AllStars coach Edward Manoah and former Ulinzi Stars tactician Salim Ali turned down the club's overtures for the deputy coach position, Leopards made a shock move for Juma who now takes up the role that was left vacant following the sacking of Mickey Weche who was shown the door alongside head coach James Nandwa over a week ago.

Leopards have also appointed former player Richard Madegwa as the team manager and coordinator of youth programmes replacing Francis Xavier who was also sent packing with the two.

Meanwhile, the club is in talks with Italian Emanuelle Filippini, Bulgarian Velizar Popover and Briton Trevor Morgan for the head coach position.

Juma, who had gone nine league matches without a win with KCB before he was axed last week, was the least expected to be appointed until on Monday, but a desperate AFC Leopards executive committee needed somebody to take charge of the team as they prepare for the next assignment against Mathare United at the Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.

By accepting to be assistant coach, just six months after he had won the Kenya Premier League Coach of the Year (2013) award is a clear indicator that Juma does not mind working under somebody as he tries to reignite his career that has been seriously dented by the nine winless games he has been in charge of KCB this season.

Salim Ali declined to take up a supporting role in the AFC Leopards bench. He had demanded to be the head coach.

IMPRESSIVE RUN LAST SEASON

The former Thika United, Congo United and Bidco FC coach guided the Bankers to their best ever league position last season finishing fourth, with the club also providing the KPL Player of Year and Golden Boot winner in Jacob Keli, the best midfielder in Brian Osumba while keeper Sammy Okinda won the runners-up award in his category.

AFC Leopards Secretary General George Aladwa defended the decision to appoint Juma saying the tactician fits the assistant coach position at the den.

“We have looked at the options available and we do believe Juma fits well to be our assistant coach,” said Aladwa in a statement.

“We had other names but we could not reach an agreement with them. The technical bench could not continue operating in a vacuum and that is why we have decided to appoint Juma assistant coach while Richard Madegwa will be the team manager and coordinate youth programmes. Washington Muhanji remains the goalkeeper trainer. We shall be unveiling a new head coach next week,” he said.

Leopards lie eleventh with 11 points. They have won only twice in the league.