Juma will put smiles on faces of AFC Leopards fans, Ottamax says
By Dennis Mabuka, September 27, 2023
Former international Matthews Ottamax believes Tom Juma is the right coach to help struggling AFC Leopards end their trophy drought this season.
Despite a poor start to the FKF Premier League campaign which has seen Ingwe remain winless from four matches – three draws and one defeat – Ottamax has called on the club’s faithful to give the 46-year-old Juma time to turn around its fortunes at the Den.
“It is a quarter century since AFC Leopards won something tangible in Kenyan football scenes, and their current coach Tom (Juma) was part of the playing unit if not in the winning battalion that clinched the local league in 1998 but was part of the precursor CECAFA title lifting team in 1997,” said Ottamax, adding: “I know how painful the wait is for Ingwe diehard fans, but like I say patience is a virtue if taken too far it’s cowardice.”
He continued: “AFC fans we have waited for so long and we can still wait a little bit longer as long as we have the team at heart and give it all the necessary positive support. For the last 25 years, a blend of coaches both local and alien have passed through the turnstile that is AFC Leopards coaching door, some were given more than enough time with hefty packages to conjure a title but nothing came forth.”
Ottamax further took issues with Ingwe fans for calling for Juma’s head after only four matches in charge of the team, since coming in on a permanent basis to replace Patrick Aussems.
“Just under four games and Juma’s head has been stifled under a pressure cooker with fans baying for his blood this early. I read malice and underestimation from some sections of the fans. Who said Juma can’t deliver if he is given the time and space his predecessors who delivered nothing had?
“He is someone I have played with, and worked with, and I know of his technical prowess, he has the ability and the capacity to finally put smiles on the faces of AFC Leopards fans. The devilish notion that Leopards is too big for Juma to handle should evaporate from our minds and give this able coach the support he best needs.”
Ingwe will next face promoted side Shabana at Ulinzi Complex on Sunday.The partnership reflects LOOP’s dedication to investing in communities with the goal of creating sustainable and vibrant societies that drive positive change and growth for all.