Dan Shikanda: Political leaders from Western have turned their backs on AFC Leopards

 In the golden years gone by, say the 1970s and 1980s, AFC Leopards was a hot cake, understandably. Every shade of politician would fall over themselves just to get a slice of the blue stripped jersey of Ingwe. But alas, how fast things change!

Fast forward, the club is a pale shadow of its former glorious self. Contrary to the love it had from politicians, today it is treated like leprosy.

No one knows this best that the beleaguered Leopards boss, Chairman Dan Shikanda, who, for the first time has lifted the lid on the pain of leading the communally owned clup, taking a jibe at the political elite from the western region, for turning their backs on the supposed Kenyan football giants, in times of need.

Hear him speak:  “It has not been easy. It has been very difficult. The problem with AFC (Leopards) and this one I will say without any fear of contradiction is that the community believes that the club belongs to the chairman. Once you are on that seat you are put through baptism by fire, everybody leaves the team for you and you’re alone.

Sometimes I envy our arch rivals Gor Mahia because the community chips in, in terms of supporting the team. Their strongest point has always been Baba (ODM party leader Raila Odinga) and he has been coming through for them in times of trouble,”Shikanda lamented in an interview with sister station Mulembe FM.

He also stressed that a team’s success is never and should not be measured on the number of trophies won, defending Ingwe for not winning the league in the last 26 years.[Their last conquest came in 1998].

“In life any team, organization or institution usually has a dip before it starts thriving. Gor Mahia had the same, AFC (Leopards) had the same, Simba SC had the same and Yanga SC of Tanzania had the same.

Anyone who is saying the opposite doesn’t know what he/ she is saying. We are going for elections and if we don’t elect leaders who can withstand the pressure within then I can tell you for free they will run away.

My predecessors and to be specific four of them never finished their term and it was one or two year-term, I have finished six years,” Shikanda said.

Shikanda has also faulted Leopards fans for turning against the club leadership and players whenever results do not go their way, stressing on the need to rally behind the team.

Gor Mahia have had Shakava (Harun) as their player and even captained them despite coming from Western Kenya. But for us here, Opiyo (Levis) the Leopards goalkeeper has gone through hell. If he shows you the insulting messages from our fans you will be shocked. Insults that sometimes have been heavy enough to opt not to start in goal in some matches. We must support the team wholeheartedly and rally behind our players regardless of where they come from,”Shikanda said.

Leopards were held to a one-all draw by Shabana on Sunday at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos in a Kenyan Premier League match. The point ensured they remain in position five on 36 points, nine behind leaders Kenya Police after round of 32.