Leopards set to raid transfer market after Sh8m boost

Africa-Press – Kenya. AFC Leopards assistant coach, Tom Juma, believes they have momentarily calmed the stormy waters that rocked the club’s finances after a palmy fundraiser at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday evening left them Sh8 million richer.

A local ensemble of high profile dignitaries, led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, heeded a rallying call to salvage the 13-time Kenyan champions from the jaws of a huge financial mess that had jolted their smooth operations and threatened their 57-year existence.

Juma said they would use part of the funds raised on Thursday to offset the colossal dues owed to their former players so that a transfer ban imposed by world football governing body, Fifa, can be lifted to allow them bolster their squad for the new season.

“We lost many players at the end of the preceding season and as such we urgently need to embrace the ongoing transfer window to strengthen our squad. But as things stand now, we cannot bring in new players following the far reaching Fifa ban,” said Juma.

On March 23, Fifa prohibited Leopards from signing new players for two transfer windows after they failed to settle Sh1.8 million owed to Rwandan midfielder Vincent Habamahoro.

Fifa cracked the whip after Leopards failed to beat the prescribed 45-day ultimatum.

Leopards were dealt a further blow following a mass exodus that witnessed the departure of their luminaries, including midfield maestro Congolese Fabrice Mgheni, former skipper Robinson Kamura, custodian John Oyemba, utility player Clyde Senaji and striker Elvis Rupia.

But despite the huge setback, the limping felines pulled off a major upset to claw champions Tusker in their season’s opener at Thika Stadium.

Juma was ecstatic about the splendid form exhibited by some of the youngsters who were promoted from the academy side as the coaching unit made frantic efforts to cobble up a splash dash squad to face the brewers.

“Without a doubt, their performance on the big stage impressed me a lot. The fact that they helped us bag maximum points against a team of Tusker’s calibre speaks volumes about their potential,” said Juma.

“Our objective is to clinch this season’s title. That’s always the objective of the two traditional Kenyan football giants, Leopards and Gor Mahia at the beginning of each season,” said Juma.

During the fundraiser, club chairman Dan Shikanda said there was an urgent need to commercialise football in the country given the sport has the potential to promote many sectors in the world.

Both President Kenyatta, who had earlier donated a brand new bus to the team , and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga contributed Sh2 million in absentia. Defence Cabinet secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, who was the chief guest contributed Sh1.1 million while ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi contributed Sh1 million.