AFC Leopards optimistic of top league finish despite missing CAF spot
By People Reporter, June 29, 2021
With Tusker looking like the team to be named Kenya’s representatives in the CAF Champions League, AFC Leopards are still hopeful of winning the Betking Kenya Premier League to break a 23-year jinx of failure to clinch the gong.
Club chairman Dan Shikanda said that while they are disappointed with Football Kenya Federation for naming the country’s flag bearers in the Africa event prematurely, they are still focused on being crowned as the league champions.
“We are still very much in the race and I urge the players to try and attain the benchmarks we set. This is AFC Leopards and we have to be ambitious as we try to restore our lost glory,’ said Shikanda.
He stated that a promise the management made to the players to reward them with houses should the club win the league remains.
“The players should rest assured that they will be home owners courtesy of the management. Obviously, the league is tough but I have this feeling that we can win it,’’ said Shikanda.
Following failure to win the league, whose reward is representing Kenya in the CAF Champions League as well as the Cecafa Cup, Leopards will be seeking to beat Gor Mahia in the final of the FKF Betway Cup on July 4 to be able to represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The 2021 FKF Betway Cup final pitting the two giants will be played at the Ruaraka grounds due to unavailability of Moi International Sports Center and Nyayo Stadium.
Both sides needed post-match penalties to edge past Bidco United and Equity in the semi-finals.
Bidco United, meanwhile, will be gearing up for a clash against Equity in the third-place playoff, a curtain-raiser to the grand finale.