A.F.C. Leopards


Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, is a Kenyan professional football club based in Nairobi. It currently competes in the Kenyan Premier League, the top tier of the Kenyan football league system, and was founded in 1964 by football lovers from the Luhya community. With 12 top-flight league titles to their name, AFC Leopards is Kenya's third most successful club behind Tusker FC and Gor Mahia, the latter with whom they regularly contest the Mashemeji Derby. The team currently plays most of its home games at the Nyayo National Stadium
AFC Leopards' standing as one of the most successful clubs in the region is underlined by the fact that it has won the Kenyan Premier League 12 times. AFC Leopards has also won the Kenya Cup 10 times, and the CECAFA Club Championship 5 times.
The club was formed in 1964 as Abaluhya United Football Club. In 1973 the club changed its name to Abaluhya Football Club when a number of small clubs amalgamated. In 1980 the club was renamed AFC Leopards, the name it holds until present.
In 2008 they played in the Nationwide League and won the title in their zone. They returned to the Kenyan Premier League for the 2009 season in which it also won the KFF Cup.
Several teams in the Kenyan football league system are intimately linked to ethnic groups in Kenya; AFC Leopards are considered to represent the Luhya people of Western Kenya.

History

The 1960s

From the 1960s or even earlier; the notion and formation of various Abaluhya teams for invitational matches became the forerunner of what eventually would become Abaluhya United. On 12 March 1964, the East African Standard newspaper published a report on the birth of a new club known as Abaluhya Football Club, which resulted from the amalgamation of Marama, Samia United and Bunyore; all Nairobi based clubs that were in Division 1 of the Kenya National Football League. The amalgamation process also included lower division clubs such as Kisa, Tiriki, Bukusu Brotherhood, Busamia, Lurambi, Butsotso, Bushibungo and Eshirotsa thus building its base and establishments that would make it a success in the future.

The 1970s and 80s: Legacy building and golden era

This was a period of sustained performance from the club, which brought it more fame. This included winning the Kenya National Football League in an unbeaten fashion, in the process becoming the first Kenyan club to do so.
AFC Leopards marked the 80s by marking a period of dominance majorly in the domestic and regional scene.

The 1990s and 2000s

In the 90s, achievements became less frequent, although in general, the team continued to win some championships thus never suffering a considerable title drought.
The beginning of dismal campaigns for the following 10 years, including relegation from the top tier.

Club Identity

A.F.C. Leopards has historical ties to the Luhya people, one of Kenya’s largest ethnic groups, who are primarily located in Western Kenya. The club was founded in 1964 as Abaluhya United FC, with the purpose of providing a platform for Luhya players based in Nairobi and other areas. This origin established a cultural link between the club and the Luhya people, which has influenced its identity over the years. The connection to the Luhya community is evident in the composition of players, coaches, and officials associated with the club, many of whom come from Western Kenya, especially Kakamega and nearby counties. This regional representation has contributed to a fan base that identifies with the club through shared ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In 1978, President Daniel arap Moi reaffirmed a policy initiated under Jomo Kenyatta that required all civic and sporting organisations in Kenya to remove names with explicit ethnic identifiers. As a result, Abaluhya Football Club, which had been associated with the Luhya community since its founding in 1964, formally changed its name to All Footballers Confederation Leopards Sports Club, commonly known as A.F.C. Leopards. Nevertheless, while A.F.C. Leopards has grown to attract supporters from various parts of Kenya, the relationship with the Luhya community remains an important aspect of the club’s identity.
A.F.C. Leopards has a long history of political patronage from prominent Luhya leaders. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Martin Shikuku and Moses Mudavadi served as early patrons, using their influence to secure employment for players in the civil service and to support club operations. More recently, Musalia Mudavadi, leader of the Amani National Congress and a lifelong Ingwe supporter, has provided direct financial assistance to the club. In June 2020, he donated KSh 633,000 to clear land rates on the 20-acre parcel allocated to the club in Kasarani and has pledged further support for a permanent stadium complex. A.F.C. Leopards has also attracted backing from other Luhya politicians, including Alfred Sambu and Cyrus Jirongo, as well as regional leaders such as Ken Lusaka and Edwin Sifuna, who in 2024 publicly endorsed plans to corporatise the club and invited wider investment to secure its financial future.

Honours

League

  • Kenya National Football League/Kenyan Super League/Kenyan Premier League
  • * Champions : 1966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998
  • Kenyan Nationwide League
  • *Champions : 2008

    Cup

  • FKF President's Cup: 10
  • * Champions : 1967, 1968,1984, 1985, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2009, 2013, 2017
  • *Runners-up: 1987, 1997, 2000, 2003
  • CECAFA Club Cup: 5
  • * Champions : 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1997.
  • *Runner's Up: 1974, 1980, 1985
  • CECAFA Nile Basin Cup
  • *Runners-up: 2014

    Performance in CAF competitions

African [Cup of Champions Clubs/CAF Champions League">CAF Champions League">African [Cup of Champions Clubs/CAF Champions League]

Current squad

Goalkeepers
Samuel Ambale
Humphrey Katasi
James Ssetuba
Defenders
Kennedy Owino
Peter Maker
Vincent Mahiga
Randy Bakari
Fredrick Alushula
Samwel Semo
Rami Coulibaly
Midfielders
Tyson Otieno
Kayci Odhiambo
Boniface Munyendo
Musa Oundo
Ronald Sichenje
Kelly Madada
Victor Omune
Jamal Obeid
Victor Otieno
Deng Kang
Brian Wanyama
Forwards
Julius Masaba
Samuel Ssenyonjo
Maxwell Odongo
Christopher Koloti
James Kinyanjui
Ellias Mugane
Hassan Beja

Footballing and medical staff

Board of directors

Coaches and managers