AFC Leopards class of 98: Where are they?

There is no doubt that AFC Leopards is one of the most successful clubs in the history of Kenyan football.

There is also no doubt that the Big Cats have fallen from their glory days. So low they have gone, that at some point they were facing the chop from the top flight.

While Ingwe last won the Kenyan Premier League title 22 years ago, their eternal nemesis Gor Mahia have been crowned Kenyan champions six times in the last seven years.

Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has been vocal in the recent past calling for the club supporters to help the team regain its lost allure. They came close to ending their league drought in 2012, but came close in 2012, only to finish third.

But as they build for the future with the hope of reclaiming the title for their success-deprived fanbase, Nation Sport takes a look at the club’s last heroes who won them the title in 1998.

Tanzanian coach Sunday Kayuni, who took over the role at Ingwe midway through the season from Flemming Jacobsen, led Ingwe to their last league gong and was assisted by Democratic Republic of Congo’s Martin Ndagano while veteran coaches Alfred Imonje and Gilbert Selebwa were part of the technical bench.

Those close to the club claim that Kayuni left the club acrimoniously in 1999 after the club performed dismally in the Cecafa Club Championships held in Uganda.

The then Leopards chairman the late Francis Chohonya fired Kayuni - who also had coached Coast United.

Kayuni worked as technical advisor for Cecafa, at the Kagame Cup in Rwanda in June 2019. He is said to have “cursed” Ingwe, and assured the club they never win the KPL title until they pay him all his dues and apologise for locking him up at Nairobi police station where he was rescued by the Tanzanian Embassy officials then.

Selebwa coached Shabana FC until late last year before moving to Nyamira based Jet FC which participate in the FKF Division two League.

Imonje has also ventured into farming and business in his home in Kakamega County.

Here is the Leopards 1998 league winning squad:

Goalkeepers: Mathew Ottamax, Mohammed Fwaya, David Ouma, Austin Mulama

Defenders: Francis Baraza, Francis Oduor, Paul Ochieng, George Sunguti, James Kaimba, Wycliffe Jumba

Midfielders: Nicholas Muyoti, Austin Makacha, Simeon Mulama, Aggripa Nyanje

Strikers: Philip Ouma, Erick Mbwabi, Boniface Ambani, Fred Ambani, Rodgers Muhanji

Mathew Otammax

Club and country legend. He was the first-choice goalkeeper for Leopards during their last league triumph and also featured for Harambee Stars.

Ottamax had an illustrious career on the pitch before shifting to the dugout where he enjoyed success as the goalkeepers’ trainer at Harambee Stars, Leopards, Gor Mahia, Nairobi City Stars and Nakumatt (Mount Kenya United).

He is now a coach at Ujuzi Soccer Academy and Aghakan Junior and Senior School.

Mohammed Fwaya

He is doing running his business in Nairobi. Since retirement, he spent most of his time in Dubai doing business before returning to the country last year. In his heydays he played in Qatar and also for Harambee Stars.

David Ouma and Austin Mulama

David Ouma whole left mid season before and was replaced by Austin Mulama, Simeon's brother. Ouma is based in Mombasa while Austin is in Nairobi.

Francis Baraza

The indefatigable fullback. The dread-locked Baraza was a joy to watch. He is currently the head coach at Biashara United in Tanzania. He took over the coaching role in November last year when the team was languishing in the relegation zone but did a good job to ensure they finished ninth in the just-ended Vodacom Premier League.

He led SoNy Sugar to their only KPL title in 2006 as head coach, then managed Western Stima, served as Tusker’s assistant coach and Chemelil Sugar coach before his move to Biashara United.

Francis ‘Killer’ Oduor

Now a youthful tactician, Oduor was the captain when Leopards lifted their last KPL trophy 22 years ago.

He coached Wazito while still in the National Super League in 2017. He led Kisumu All Stars to a a second-place finish in the National Super League in 2018/19, which earned them a place in the 2019/20 KPL season.

Oduor served as the late Henry Omino’s assistant at Kisumu All Stars. He is currently the coach of Luanda Villa FC in Vihiga county.

Paul Ochieng'

Ochieng lives in Nairobi and is in the insurance business.

James Kaimba

The gifted Sierra Leone international moved back to his country in 2000 after his deal with Leopards came to an end.

George Sunguti

The veteran defender who made a mark at Leopards in 90s and early 2000s is an employee of the Nairobi County Government.

He also played in Uganda, Vietnam, Tanzania and Sweden. He was last year the coach of Nairobi County Team which participated in the KICOSA Games held in Kericho.

Wycliffe Jumba

He lives in the capital as he focuses on his transport business. He was also in the management team of the Nairobi City Stadium.

Nicholas Muyoti

The versatile former defensive midfielder is currently the Kakamega Homeboyz coach. He later in his career became Leopards captain, assistant coach and coach. He also coached Thika United, Oserian and Nzoia Sugar before joining Homeboyz.

Aggripa Nyanje

He moved to the United States of America.

Simeon Mulama

He is a football pundit and commentator. The former Mathare United midfielder also played for different clubs in the US, Egypt and Sweden. He was appointed Gogo Boys coach which participate in the country fourth tier league in February 2020 and he promised to ensure the team qualifies to join KPL by 2023.

Austin Makacha

The iconic midfielder runs his businesses in Nairobi.

Philip Ouma

Ouma resides in Uganda.

The Ambani brothers

Fred Ambani is an assistant coach at Wazito. His brother, the mercurial Boniface, was the Leopards Under 20 coach for a few years. He runs his sports merchandise shop in the capital. He is also a football pundit and commentator.

Rodgers Muhanji

The speedy winger during his time is also leading a lowkey life at his home in Kakamega County.

Erick Mbwabi

He passed on a few years ago.