Shikanda: Leopards will win the league if “wrangles” are avoided

Former AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has expressed strong confidence that the club will finally end their 27-year wait for a league title — but only if “stupid wrangles are avoided.”

Shikanda, who stepped down in June after completing two terms in office, believes the Fred Ambani-coached side has all the ingredients to lift the 2025/26 Football Kenya Federation Premier League crown.

“This is the year AFC Leopards will win the league,” Shikanda told SPM Buzz TV. “We left a solid unit when we finished the season last year, playing attractive football. They started slowly, but I told people to stop doubting them — they just needed time.”

Leopards fondly known as Ingwe began the campaign with three consecutive draws but have since hit form, stringing together three straight wins to extend their unbeaten run to 14 matches. They currently sit among the top contenders, just two points behind leaders Kakamega Homeboyz and one adrift of Gor Mahia, with a game in hand.

Shikanda insists that beyond tactics and signings, stability — both on and off the pitch — will determine whether Leopards finally reclaim their lost glory.

“It will not be won because of a good chairman or a good coach, but because of a good team,” he stressed. “The fans need to be patient. Rome was not built in a day. Give the coach time, give the leadership time — and to the players, they must play for themselves and for the club.”

Avoiding Wrangles and Building Unity

The “wrangles” Shikanda refers to are the off-pitch leadership disputes that have occasionally distracted the 12-time champions in recent years. He warns that unless such divisions are contained, they could derail Leopards’ title charge once again.

“I am very confident AFC Leopards will win the league this season if these stupid wrangles are avoided,” he said. “The team has gelled well — they’ve only added two new players to the starting eleven — and they play with confidence and purpose.”

Since Bonface Ambani, a former Harambee Stars and Leopards striker, took over as chairman, the club has enjoyed a renewed sense of direction. Under Fred Ambani, the team has blended experienced campaigners with promising talents like James Kinyanjui, whose creativity and energy have been vital in their unbeaten run.

A Team Built for Success

AFC Leopards’ recent upturn began after early season frustrations. After draws with Bandari (0-0), Posta Rangers (2-2), and Sofapaka (1-1), pressure mounted on Ambani’s technical bench, with some fans calling for his sacking. But the team responded emphatically — beating KCB and Shabana by identical 2-1 margins before dispatching Mathare United 2-0 last weekend.

Shikanda credits this resurgence to smart recruitment and squad cohesion. He lauded signings such as Kinyanjui, Samuel Sseeyonjo, Elias Mugane, Brian Ojok, and Tyson Otieno as impactful additions.

“The team started sluggishly, but I told people it is well-oiled and properly structured. The new signings have added depth and competition to an already solid unit,” he said. “Despite the distractions off the pitch, this is a team ready to fight for the title.”

Patience and Perspective

Shikanda, who featured for Leopards in the 1980s before playing for Gor Mahia, sees a familiar hunger in the current squad.

“Playing in the 80s opened doors for me, and I’m sure doors will open for them if they perform well,” he said. “Success brings its own rewards — I am a living example of that.”

As the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season gathers pace, optimism among Leopards supporters continues to rise. The pieces appear to be falling into place: a united leadership, a confident coach, and a determined squad.

For Shikanda, however, the path to glory remains simple — discipline, patience, and unity.

“We have a team that can do it,” he concluded. “Now, it’s just about everyone pulling in the same direction.”