Monday, February 25, 2013

Post Match: Chemelil (A)

AFC Leopards have yet to win an opening day fixture in the Kenyan Premier League since they came back to top flight football. Yesterday's game ended in a draw just like year's opening day game against Chemelil only that this time it wasn't 0-0 but 1-1.

Futaa wrote:-

The opening day of the 2012 Tusker Premier League saw Chemelil Sugar frustrate AFC Leopards and it has happened again this year.

Jared Omwenga Obwoge and Noah Abich exchanged equal blows to see their first match of the 2013 Premier League end in a 1-1 draw at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, Sunday 24 February 2013.

Omwenga scored the opening goal of the game midway through the first half and it looked like it would be the match winner until Abich converted from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Paul Were was fouled in the area.

Mike Baraza's sending off in the second half added to the woe for Tom Olaba's men who huffed and puffed all day.

Leopards gave debuts to Patilla Omoto, Martin Musalia and Anthony Kimani but it was not to be a happy day for the men in blue as the well drilled Chemelil proved hard to break down.

Leopards tried hard to get back in the game after conceding but were ultimately messed up by Baraza's red card for a second bookable offence, the second of which was in controversial circumstances, though they will be thankful to take a point home in the circumstances.

With the draw, Chemelil can enjoy a point no one expected them to collect while for Leopards, they will know they have to improve to have any chance of landing the Premier League title.
 
Nation wrote:-
 
 
Referee James Kagera returned from a six-month suspension but should have stayed even longer in the cold as he made a farce of the Kenyan Premier League game between AFC Leopards and Chemelil Sugar which ended in a one all draw at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
At City Stadium Kenya Commercial Bank hammered City Stars 4-0 as Bandari got a rude welcome falling by a solitary goal to Ulinzi Stars.
Kagera was suspended last season for awarding AFC Leopards a dubious penalty against City Stars and he did exactly that again yesterday, awarding Leopards what looked a questionable penalty as Ingwe trailed 0-1 to the sugar millers.
Maybe, Kagera was trying to mend fences with AFC Leopards fans who had hurled all sorts of missiles onto the pitch minutes earlier after he controversially red-carded AFC Leopards striker Mike Baraza.
Baraza had been ruled offside, but this was rather questionable as he rushed to a back pass from a Chemelil defender.
When he questioned the linesman why he had been penalized for the off side, Kagera flushed a yellow card at him.
Moments later the referee showed him the red card and all hell broke loose as Leopards fans started hurling missiles on to the pitch. The game was halted for close to 20 minutes.
Game wise though, there was nothing to write home about and AFC Leopards will have to dig deep to sort out their midfield and striking inadequacies. Partilla Omoto, a teenager brought from Kariobangi Sharks showed some flashes of brilliance but his inexperience was evident. Same to Noah Wafula, who came in after the break.
Leopards’ defence was solid, Noah Abich, Anthony Kimani, Idrissa Rajab and Eric Masika covering goalkeeper Martin Musalia very well but the midfield was totally out of form until the introduction of Charles Okwemba.
Jared Omwenga gave Chemelil an early lead when he beat the AFC Leopards defence to put the ball behind Musalia.
AFC Leopards, third last season, struggled to pick up. They ended the first half without a shot on goal.
Leopards moment though came in late in the second half when Kagera adjudged Paul Were to have been upended in the box when the player looked to have dived.

MichezoAfrika wrote:-


AFC Leopards and home team Chemelil FC played to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the 2013 Kenya Premier League seasom at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

AFC coach Tom Olaba paraded four of his new signings in the starting team starting Michael Musalia in goal, Anthony Kimani and Noah Abich in defense while Patilla Omotto got the nod in  midfield alongside Bernard Mang’oli and Martin Imbalambala.

Chemelil started proceedings powerfully and were rewarded when Jared Obwoge sank in past Musalia in the 13th minute.

AFC who looked uncoordinated in midfield play attempted a comeback in the remaining half hour of the first half raiding Chemelil goal area frequently.Paul Were’s runs on the left flank frequently tortured Chemelil defense line but there was always poor combination and lack of perfect execution in the final touch inside the box.

In the 37th minute, Paul Were’s cut into the box was cut out as he attempted to deliver a 45 home pass to Victor Ochieng but the serve was too weak and was easily cleared.

Two minutes after the start of the second half, Martin Musalia came to the rescue of AFC Leopards saving with his left foot a goal bound shot after Obwoge capitalized on a defensive blunder. Alone with the keeper, the striker failed to burrow the ball beyond Musalia.

Olaba made a double substitution bringing out Victor Ochieng for and Patilla Omotto and introduced Charles  Okwemba in midfield.

New substitute Wafula added immediate power in the Ingwe attack line making a good run on the flanks to deliver to Bernard Mang’oli whose final shot was blocked.

Trouble started twelve minutes after restart when Mike Baraza was ruled offside. He protested the ruling and was given matching orders after landing a second yellow. This sparked protests from the AFC Leopards fans forcing temporary stoppage of  the match. The fans pelted water bottles into the stadium  but after appeals from the AFC Leopards’ players, calm restored and the match continued.

A good combination between new boy Wafula and Were almost yielded an equalizer but the latter’s last touch failed to tap the ball home.

New signing Noah Abich leveled from the spot  in the dying minutes to salvage  a point for AFC leopards.Paul Were had dribbled his way inside the box only to be fouled thus occasioning a clear penalty.

Chemelil Sugar coach Mike Mururi lauded the perfomance of his team afrter the match but blamed the match official for awarding AFC the penalty.

"It was a poor decision to award the penalty. That was wrong officiating. However I thank my boys for a good match. We were the better side." He said.

Before the match, Leopards fan Lugendo had said:


 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Pre Match: Chemelil (A)

Leopards take on Chemelil at the Kasarani Stadium this afternoon.

Supersport writes:-

Kenyan Premier League [KPL] giants AFC Leopards will be hoping to break their Chemelil Sugar jinx when the two sides meet in the season opener, on Sunday afternoon at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Leopards have not beaten the millers in their last ten meetings, but with their recent off-season acquisitions, coach Tom Olaba will be looking forward to starting the season on a positive note. 

The two teams met in last term’s opening match that ended in a barren draw before Chemelil extended their dominance over Leopards, stunning them 1-0 in the final match of the season. 

It is a match that will see Olaba, a former Chemelil coach/Harambee Stars assistant, re-unite with his former national team player Mike Mururi, who is currently the millers’ tactician. 

Leopards will bank on the box to box midfielder Patilla Omoto, who is expected to make his KPL debut, while the hosts will rely on influential midfielder Gearson Likono, a former AFC player, and the newly signed striker Steven Wakhanya. 

Probable starting XI

Chemelil: Onyango Fredrick (GK), Edwin Misiko, Agembe James, Odero Charles[Cpt], Willis Ouma, Mwaniki Jonathan, Victor Omondi, Tony Opondo, Gearson Likono , Steven Wakhanya, Athman Mzee Matano. 

Subs: Japheth Wamunga, Robert Indumuli, Smith Ouko, Kevin Omondi, Gerrald Obwoge, John Onami 

AFC: Martin Musalia [GK], Edwin Wafula, Idrissa Rajab, Antony Kimani, Eric Masika, Martin Imbalambala [Cpt], Paul Were, Patilla Omoto, Allan Wanga, Bernard Mangoli, Victor Ochieng. 

Subs: Patrick Matasi, Jonas Nahimana, Noah Abich, Floribert Ndayisaba, Charles Okwemba, Mike Baraza, Noah Wafula. 

Futaa writes:-

The Chemelil Sugar FC squad to face off with AFC Leopards in the two sides’ Tusker Premier League (TPL) opener at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani has been released.

Fredrick Onyango will continue in goal after establishing himself in the role in the 2012 season. He will be shielded by veterans Smith Ouko and Willis Ouma in defence while upfront Gearson Likono will be charged with the goal getting duties alongside youthful Jared Omwenga.

Starting XI: Fred Onyango (GK), Willis Ouma, Smith Ouko, James Omino, Charles Odero, Jonathan Mwaniki, Victor Omondi, Daniel Mutahi, Tony Opondo, Gearson Likonoh, Jared Omwenga.
Subs: Jairus Adira, Robert Indimuli, Asman Mzee, James Macharia, Geoffrey Maina, Isemeki Andrew.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Vision 2013


The following provisional fixture list for AFC Leopards in 2013, is bound to change from time to time.

Kenya Premier League


09 Feb    v     Homeboyz    H    Bukhungu 15.00


17 Feb    v     Bandari       H      Nyayo 14.00


24 Feb    v     Sony Sugar    H      Nyayo 16.00


02 Mar    v     Karuturi        A    Karuturi 15.00


10 Mar    v     W. Stima     H      Nyayo 15.00


17 Mar    v     Muhoroni        A    Muhoroni 15.00


23 Mar    v     KCB     H      Nyayo 15.00


30 Mar    v     Chemelil      A    Chemelil 15.00


06 Apr    v     Tusker       H      Nyayo 15.00


14 Apr    v     City Stars    A      Nyayo 15.00


21 Apr    v     Gor Mahia   H      Nyayo 15.00


28 Apr    v     Ulinzi      H       Nyayo   15.00


04 May   v     Mat Utd    A       Nyayo 15.00


11 May   v     Sofapaka    A       Nyayo 15.00


19 May   v     Thika Utd    H        Nyayo 15.00


06 Jul   v      Thika Utd   A        Thika 15.00


13 Jul    v     Sofapaka   A        Nyayo 15.00


21 Jul    v      Mat Utd   H         Nyayo 15.00


04 Aug    v      Ulinzi    A         Afraha 15.00


10 Aug   v     Gor Mahia     A     Nyayo 15.00


18 Aug   v     City Stars     H     Nyayo 15.00


01 Sep   v      Tusker   A         Kasarani 15.00


07 Sep   v      Chemelil    H         Nyayo 15.00


15 Sep   v      KCB      A         Nyayo 15.00


29 Sep   v      Muhoroni  H        Nyayo 15.00


06 Oct   v      W. Stima   A       Bukhungu 15.00


13 Oct   v      Karuturi       H        Nyayo 15.00


19 Oct   v     Sony Sugar   A        Awendo 15.00


26 Oct   v     Bandari    A        Mombasa 15.00


02 Nov   v     Homeboyz   A        Nyayo 15.00


Top 8


06/13/20/27 Mar* v TBA *  TBA               TBA


10/17 Apr* v TBA *        TBA                    TBA

24 Apr/1 May* v TBA *   TBA                     TBA

26 May v TBA*               TBA                     TBA


FKF Cup


29/30 Jun v TBA *            TBA                   TBA


27/28 Jul v TBA *             TBA                   TBA


25/25 Aug v TBA *             TBA                 TBA


21/22 Sep v TBA *             TBA                 TBA


20 Oct v TBA *                 TBA                  TBA


Kenya Power Charity Cup


02 Feb v TBA *              TBA                 Kasarani


02 Feb v TBA *              TBA                 Kasarani

Awards


*TBA KPL Awards


*TBA Ingwe Awards

Hapi Nolia Edition

LESSONS FROM 2012: NOSTALGIA AND HAPI NOLIA EDITION
Guest post by Anthony 'Lanx' Lungaho

We've seen it all, the highs, the lows and the mid is weak. 2012 was an amazing year, with lots of lessons, here's to an even greater 2013; the looong, greatest 12 of 2012.

12. It takes a village to raise a team, it takes a village idiot to almost destroy it. Ingwe's march to glory was scuttled not by Oguda, or Tusker, or Gor, or a towel - it was disrupted by our own who took the club to court, mishandled the playing unit and TB, wrangled unnecessarily and even stole the club's cash. 'Shetani gani huyo hata hajui kazi ile imefanywa...'

11. It was the year of new learnings, and new confusions. It started with team line-timeline-replicas cc. Pamela Lutta, and reached the peak with the FKF statement that 'the results of Gor vs AFC will be held in abeyance'; I will never forget Osinde proclaiming, 'Asanda! EffuKeYeff wamesema tukuwe na vuyanzi! Nyamweya juu!'.

10. AFC Leopards SC is a recognised mental affliction. This year we witnessed many symptoms of Ingwemulalulytis, such as Translatiosis, where fans think in KiPokot but speak in Fat-Ingilish-Etuketet-London; for instance Aseka's 'You have gardening - uko na ushamba', Gaxdon's 'Hippopotamus of theirs - Ingwe ni Kiboko yao' and El Cap's 'I am up of things - Niko juu ya vitu'.

9. Ingwemulalulytis which was most prevalent on match days, (all the way till late at poolside cc Apacha, Mukokha, Oj), but it always started here on the wall. Credit to Dj Skush aka Mbulakatyooo, TJ Choram aka 'Pause!' and Sam MpEdna Wahu for introducing the hot alapam; Ingwe Riidims. Riidim of the year was undoubtedly MpEdna's 'Gdi Ndi Gdi Ndi Gdi Ndi - Gada Riitsim'. Mbulakatyooo!

8. The matches were often the climax of Ingwemulalulytis, from Bern Ndeda Wanga/Mayuka/Renard/Gyan/Ingwe First XI screaming MATAAASII loud enough to awaken ancestors at Langata cemetery (even during throw ins when Matasi was nowhere near), to Cax and Victor drinking Jik only to black out and wake up the next Tuesday asking 'ngapi ngapi' Mabango style, to Weru speaking in more languages than the disciples on the day of pentecost when Barasa closed KCB, and to all of us, the republik that watched the Leopard prey, danced to the gada 'hoover' and sang ourselves hoarse; may Ingwemulalulytis live forever and double in 2013.

Mulalu Moment of the year was the Isukutieer on panji against Chemelil, suddenly shouted, 'Hii Tunisia leo wamelemea Oliech namnakani!!'

7. There were moments when AFC came dangerously close to becoming a cult, and no ocassion more so than during the 6 - 2 drubbing of Rangers. Kollo and Sober drunkenly tried to walk on water, fans invaded the pitch kupiga nyasi duster, and Shem aka Masiolo, completely drenched, hang his jersey in the rain to dry!

6. Out of town started for some of us with Afraha in 2010, then Mombasa, Thika and Naivasha in 2011, but in 2012 even having followed the Leopard everywhere, the most memorable fixtures were without a doubt the ones in Mumias. It's enroute to 'Pukasi' that we discovered Amalemba Fwaya, Trokupa of Kabula, saw Diamond celebrate a 'world record' of running 100m in 28 seconds, where 'Mwana wa Laban' alikatika kukatika with no music (usicheze na amalemba fwaya), where DT, Chair, Mabango na wengine ambao hawako mbele ya korti hii 'acquired' a new chang'aa by the name DOCK (walilewa 2 weeks); and in Mumias also where the most vibrant branch was born; 'Kuna Nduru Gizani Branch'.

Bora ikuwe Saturday, 2013 Mumias oyee!

5. 2012 saw us celebrate some of the most incredible goals, and some of the most epic victories ever. There was Barry vs KCB, Bagaye vs Rangers, Wanga rounding the keeper in the FKF cup, Okwemba running Thika rugged...but was there a greater strike than Victor Ochieng vs Karuturi? 87 minutes of frustration. Determined tackle from Paco. Purposeful charge upfield by Masika. Pin point cross from Wanga. What a bullet by Ochieng. Chair, Apache, Samwana, Otero, Mabango Inc and thousands of Leopards all lose their heads. Such are the moments that make me proud to be a Leopard - and the moments that make me salivate for the new season.

4. This was the season when a '13th man' was discovered thanks to the FKF performance of the Mapunda Towel. But let us also celebrate our own practitioners - the supporters who tried everything to 'help' Ingwe -from wale wa 'kushikilia pandy' cc Edna, Aidah, Kamle; to wale wa 'ni nyinyi mnafunga team toeni kofia na belt hata lichaketi' cc Pweza, Angulu, Namai; to those who walitudanganya watapitisha mvua na wakashindwa furutei tukanyeshewa kama magomia - Onyino, Mabango, Denis Chesa, Omusawa, Wanyore Choir. I salute y'all.

3. Though Ingwe gave us breathtaking highs, we also did not escape heartbreaking lows; the loss in a foreign country, the inexplicable loss to Gor, the tipping point at Afraha that saw our brothers locked up, the self sabotage at milimani as well as within the club, the dark days when we only seemed to have wrangling over the anthem or the replicas or false mourning or the mid is weak or 'businessmen' or subtribal feuds or foreal...those are the events that we must bury in 2012. Some low tides are inevitable for such is life, but the ones that we inflict on ourselves must never return; so help us God.

2. 2012 was incredible because of 20 or so Leopards who valiantly clawed and kicked for us, but mainly because of the thousands more who gave their souls for AFC. The songs in the stands from thanking 'matako ya nyuki' to abusing 'ya referee'; to the Ingwe Ladies and Ingwelets who made our matches that much more beautiful; to those who taught us so much more about our club, Nandi, EM, Luyuku, Bwibo, Tasso, Ambani, Selebwa et al; the unsung heroes like Cassim Zuberi, the Nakuru bodaboda chap who attends all games and many more we may have no idea of; to the suporters who got involved in electing a new office and averting silent crises; and to the many Leopards who got involved in the biggest campaign of a generation - to bring our bus home...YOU are the Leopard. In whichever way you contributed to our unforgettable 2012, salute, the journey to glory is unfinished, may we celebrate together even more in 2013.

1. The greatest lesson of 2012, however, was the reason why AFC is the greatest club in the land: We're not the greatest just because of our trophies and our heritage and our fanbase and whichever other things: We're great because many Leopards in countless ways decide to do great things for AFC; choose to give of themselves wholeheartedly to the club; and refuse to let the crest burn. May we always remember.

To a great season, to victory, to an incredible 2013.

Lomba injira, INGWE yetsanga!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Photos of The Year

You have seen the 2011 edition. Now sit up and look though the photos that made 2012 a crazy-beautiful year for Leopards.

As usual, there were many photos that we came across on the internet and in blogosphere but as usual many are taken but few are chosen as the Top 20 of the year. Some are even photos of fans taking photos...



There was an outright winner of the female Fan of the Year (just kidding)



There was Musa posing next to some bus in typical local-mode



The Sony fan who thought a Leopards match is a black-tie event

The City Stars celebrating their win



The Leopards celebrating their shooting down of army side Ulinzi


The bus finally being handed over to the club



There were the Ingwelets Breast Awareness cheerleaders



One moment saw Ssemi Aina pretend-driving the bus


There was a parody of the Logarusic celebration after a goal executed perfectly by Eyinda


Fans also placed speed bumps on the road as they cheered on the team as Lutta happily led the songs


And of course what would Photos of the Year be without brand placement, eh?


And what Victor Ochieng could do



The fans could do too


There were times to recharge


And times to goof around


The Leopards had elections in June and a new EC inaugurated capturing all but one of the members was this snapshot.


But the players also tried to get us other fans

20. But starting off the Top Twenty list is this photo of Bernadette wearing a jersey that listed the entire first team. We can bet that the printer of the names must have been shocked to hear the request that she made to have all those names.


19. The goalkeepers area is a sacred area where he is supposed to rule it like a colossus. There were some moments when Leopards fans felt that Patrick Matasi had been a bit shaky. But he played his heart out and made interesting watching. This photo showed his in his element in his area basically saying 'My area!'


18. In 2012, we saw the female fans come out in strong numbers as they sought to stamp their authority on the field to show they may one day overtake the men as the supporters of Leopards. Ingwe Ladies turned up in different outfits including this head turning outfit during the clash against Gor Mahia in the FKF Cup.


17. Jan Koops brought joy to the fans of Leopards but that wasnt enough to make him keep his job. This photo taken by Onyino showed the warm reception Kopps received from the fans though at the end, perhaps he may not have had such a great time at the club.


16. As a club, Leopards needs the next generation of fans and it was also encouraging to see the young ones turn up in large numbers to follow the club.


15. There are some fans with an amazing faith and belief. Even after the club said it was boycotting the Top 8 match, there were still Leopards fans in Kasarani. Here is to those of huge faith.

14. One of those crazy moments in the season was when the Secretary General extended his hand to shake Jan Koops hand and the latter demurred. If ever there weas evidence of the thawing relations between the coach and his employers, this was it.


13. Come rain come shine some fans braved the weather to cheer on their favourite team. Here, the heavens had opened and the brave souls who chose not to shelter were not quite looking like their feathers were wet.


12.  We saw Charles Okwemba celebrate his goal in a season that was topsy turvy. The beauty about this was that it was one of those unscripted and spontaneous celebrations and thus came off so naturally.


11.  It is not everyday that you get a photo in a live match that also shows you the confidence and poiise of a player. The Daily Nation managed to capture Salim Kinje before he left the Leopards and his absence was later to cost the club dearly.




10. Going to watch any match, more so one against Gor requires one to brave to walk into a pack of the Kogalost Ones.


9. It is at Leopards that legends are made. Players who come in and then set the league alight or give the fans something to think about. If it was possible, one would say all the players at Leopards would be featurted in the Keep Walking advert of Johnnie Walker. Those who did strike a pose along those lines were our top strikers!



8. One sad moment happened during the derby in March when Gor fans decided to throw stones at the Leopards fans. Amidst the hurt and blood, this fan still managed a smile.



7. This is an intriguing photo. Clearly people are celebrating but don't ask me how they are doing it!


6. There was a photo Carol Radul posted during the derby in March that showed the great divide between the Leopards fans on the left and the Gor fans on the right. You can almost see the imaginary line where the green ends and the blue begins. 





5.  Once a goal is scored, the Leopard always has many ways to celebrate. For the recently elected organizing Secretary of the Leopards Facebook Branch, Omusawa, when we score five goals like we did against Thika it means one thing. Or two hands actually.




4. Footballers and fashion get along like a house on fire. During the year, our players tried out wearing their kit by goofing around on the training ground. Epic.


3. AFC Leopards SC is a community club and its fans are always showing that they care. This August, the Ingwelets Branch of the club had a visit to Pumwani Maternity Hospital where they paid the bills for some of the mothers and comforted those who were in pain and congratulated all for having brought forth the future generation of Leopards fans. This photo of Coco with one of the mothers and child was a moving testimony that Leopards in the Community is strong!  



2. If you were in Thika, then you may have cursed the ground as it looked treacherous to both teams. But there was a moment when Leopards scored and all the eleven players on the pitch then joined in for a celebration dance of the goal. What a moment!


1. At number one is this photo that was taken in Mumias when Leopards played Rangers. After the downpour, the four elements that make up this great team can be seen in just one photo. The sponsor is represented by the stadium in which the photo was taken. The players are represented with Patrick Matasi joining those who are moving the water out of the pitch for the game to resume. The fans are represented as they help in making the pitch playable. And the EC is represented with the official (Fred Lutta) supervising the works and urging them on behind. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2012 Photo of the Year!



That, is what AFC Leopards SC is all about! Coming together to get it done.

The Kets 2012


You read about the Kets 2011. Now, Ingwe Fan magazine editor Victor Bwibo delivers his end-of-the-year awards in respect of the AFC Leopards season that has just ended. It is a fresher look at ‘The Den’ as we call it and brings up all the good and bad memories of 2012 starting with …

Best Banner

Once or twice, a players stands out with his performances and then the next obvious thing happens. People want to snatch him. Now, we are not talking about the other player agents but you know... sometimes the agents are making calls with enquiries about the specific player. This was funny as it captured this whole scenario.



But there were times when Leopards soared as they did after finishing the first leg with a whimper only to rediscover themselves and go back to the top of the league in the second leg. At that time, the fans believed – Leopards was RELOADED!






Best Quote

There are reasons we have mouths – mostly, it’s just to use them to shout in excitement when a Leopards goal is scored. But some people use their mouths (or expressing through their pens) some pearls.

There are the judgmental journos who won’t waste a moment to pass their judgment as Frank Midega did after the Leopards and Gor match aborted in the first leg and there was chaos when some unruly fans from the green divide of the derby threw projectiles at all and sundry.  ‘The hardest thing to find after a K’ogalo and Ingwe clash is Elastoplast’, he wrote in his column Frankfoot.

But the best quote was definitely by the 2012 Best Male Fan Maurice El Capitan who said in an interview at Radio Jambo before the return clash with the same K’ogalo, ‘We are breathing sugar!’!

Best Celebration

Something was born this season at Leopards – the isokonde dance. Choreographed by Allan Wanga, it involved the jog, the wave, the shake and adoring fans joining in.


Biggest Villain

There are people who make Leopards fans wake up sweating profusely at night in utter shock and amazement at the nightmare.


That person is obviously Dan Sserenkuma – the diminutive Ugandan who scored four goals against the Leopards in the League this season – fort two different teams dealing the Leopards two different losses. What a player!

Best Comedy

Definitely the Top 8 clash against Gor Mahia. Determined to make a mockery of the fact that Leopards didn’t turn up for the match, KPL and Supersport played along including releasing the lineups that didn’t have the Leopards players names.

The match commissar Kaunda was also in his element making a fool of himself on national TV as the match was awarded on a walkover to Gor.


Best Unofficial Merchandise

There was a host to choose from as in each other year. There was the baseball cap from Nakuru Branch that looked a bit slanty.


But there was worse. This seemingly came from Kaloleni Branch, a proclamation that we were the People's Champions.



Someone also had his mind on the time that we take to support our team.




To the earrings


But the water bottle was definitely the best unofficial merchandise for this season.









Best Fergie Time

Now, managers are known to always whine about time. Jan Koops was invited to the Leopards fund raiser in March and was there before any body else!



Best Nickname

There were a variety of names dished to everyone; the fans, the players, the teams. Gor Mahia’s Ali Abondo was nicknamed Teargas after his tackle led to teargas tossed to Gor fans. But Gor Mahia was also called all sort of names, the best though was Towel FC.

Best Summary of Events

Leopards had refused to play in the Top 8 in March and kept everyone waiting. Cue a top 8 summary.




Best Parody

After we had viewed the crying Yanga fan, there was an outburst of hujuma  comments. Cue parody.


 
Best Match Report

Laughter is the best medicine. When Leopards lost to Sofapaka, it was easy to summarize the story of the loss in three photos.


Best Madness

OK, we get it. You love your team. But there are some things which are a definite no no!


Best Campaign

Getting the fans to be involved and have a say in the affairs of the club, the Be Involved campaign by Claws Trust was a sure winner!






Best Innovation

Its taking time but the Kenyan media is finally waking up to some technology – no less the TV stations. K24 had this touch screen to look at the league table.


 
Best Print Media Coverage

The Daily Nation really stepped up its plate as can be seen here.



Best Demonstration of Hate

With Leopards trailing 1-0 to Sony Sugar, Allan Wanga scored and our friends at Goir Mahia who had been pretending they really liked us, couldn’t bear it. Its OK, we hate you too!



Best Female Fan

As a brand, Leopards needs all the publicity it can and Savvy Kenya this year dedicated her blog to her travels with the Leopards. She intended to attend all the 30 matches; she didn’t but her voice about her Leopards journeys and support were heard all over including in the leading Daily Newspaper in the country.



Best Male Fan

Having given us the quote of the year, Maurice El Capitan played his part as a fan. He attended an interview at Radio Jambo when tasked and also participated in the other community events to demonstrate that supporting the club is not just being on the pitch side but also what you say and demonstrate to the others.



Additions to follow