AFC LEOPARDS GETTING IT ALL WRONG

Luc Eymael has finally been thrown out of the Ingw’e den and Harambee Stars assistant coach, James Nandwa has taken up the hot seat. At Hope Centre, Charles ‘Korea’ Omondi too has been sacked and replaced by former Igw’e tactician, Jan Koops, at Nairobi City Stars. These are the latest victims of the unforgiving nature of the Tusker Premier League. They say that a coach is as good as his last game and this is now all too clear in the local league. But forget the changes at Nairobi City Stars, the fuss and cameras must be at the much- hyped Igw’e den.

The 3-1 mauling at their Mumias Sports Complex backyard by Chemelil Sugar, was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Prior to the Chemelil loss, the 2-all draw with their Mashemejis aka GorMahia where AFC Leopards surrendered a 2-goal lead, followed by the 2-1 loss to Tusker at Nyayo National Stadium, all signs were clear that the Ingw’e den was getting impatient and heads had to roll.  Then their bogey team came calling at Mumias Sports Complex and dealt the final blow. A 3-1 bitter loss not only dimmed AFC Leopards’ chances at lifting the silverware, but also put paid to Luc Eyamel’s tenure at the Ingw’e den.  Former Kenyan international and Utalii Fc midfielder, James Nandwa has taken up the reigns, with seven games to go. But this development paints a grim picture of a Leopard that is slowly but surely losing its spots and needs to go on a soul-searching sojourn.

Firstly, sacking Eymael only worsens an already dire situation. It is interesting to note that before this sudden dip in form, Leopards had registered four successive wins against quality opposition in the league. Barely two years ago, Ingw’e were riding high and coasting to KPL  glory, only to slip on some banana peels and panic set in. the then coach, Jan Koops, now at Nairobi City Stars, was sent packing and Tom Olaba  brought in. Needless to say, Olaba could not steer the ship back to glory. History has repeated itself and the same costly mistake is back to haunt the 12-time Kenyan champions. Even in the prestigious English Premier League where performance is the only talking point, coaches do not come and go mid-season. The Ing’we camp must learn to be patient, at least as their mashemejis and take the long and enduring road to success. A coach must be given the time to build a winning team. This is where Leopards are getting it all wrong. At least five coaches in two seasons is the mark of a team that goes into a trauma whenever losing games becomes the other name of football!

The Belgian trainer recently demanded a pay rise and when he returned, his future was rendered untenable following the departure of utility defender Jonas 'Paco' Nahimana and midfield kingpin Peter ‘Pinchez’ Opiyo who secured moves to the USA and Oman respectively. According to the coach, ‘Pinchez’ move was done behind his back! The acrimonious departure of the two key-men in the Leopards team, have undoubtedly dealt the 12-time champions serious blow to their title ambitions. But this is neither here nor there. This is story for another day.

Secondly, the high turn-over of coaches and players at any football club, brings with it instability and constant changes to the playing unit in that gelling the players and identifying a winning combination at best remains a dream. Every coach comes with his trusted set of players and playing formations that pose a big problem to the players as they try to gel with new players and adapt to different formations. By the time anything close to a winning team is identified the championship is in the homestretch. A title race already decided. This is what AFC Leopards have perfected of late and the results have been calamitous. My crystal ball tells me that Nandwa will too not deliver and come season-end, he will get the boot!

Before you forget it, Ingw’e fans must be bemoaning the high turn-over of tacticians since 2009, when former Kenyan international, Nick Yakhama brought them from the football oblivion that AFC Leopards had fallen into. Since his departure, the club has had at least eight coaches, including the latest victim, Guy Eymael. All have fallen victim to the curse of poor results.

Lastly, their bitter rivals, K’Ogalo, must be the happiest chaps in town. Down in the lake-side city of Kisumu, folks must be rubbing their hands in glee! You must be happy to see your rival self-destruct and plot his way to oblivion! The Swahili say that Subira yavuta heri, and this are the words that the Ingw’e den must be prepared to heed, lest their sworn arch-rivals, K’Ogalo, might as well mock them forever for their perennial failures!

www.futaa.comFor all the reasons that might have led to the sacking of Eymael and his entire technical bench, Leopards just lost the plot and any slim hopes of lifting the diadem have all but gone up in smoke.