Leopards hoodoo: Legends retreat for crisis meeting

AFC Leopards legends among them Abbas Mahmoud, Joe Masiga, Josphat Murila and others have called for a crisis meeting on Wednesday evening in a bid to salvage the deteriorating situation at the club.

The big cats have become a punching bag in the domestic league and the legends want to get to the bottom the reasons triggering  the team’s poor run and possible remedial measures.

Abbas Mahmoud, considered one of the greatest custodians Kenya has ever produced, says they cannot fold their arm and watch as the club sink to obscurity.

The 63-year-old who joined Leopards (then known as Abaluhya FC) in 1978 helping them to win their first ever CECAFA Club Cup in 1979 is a worried man, because of the sorry state of affair at the club.

“We want to know why the club is sacking coaches every now and then, why are players being changed always and why are there no results,” he said angrily, giving a glimpse of the deliberations expected.

According to Abbas, the most affected department in the disjointed Leopards playing unit is the goal keeping department.

“The biggest problem at the club is failing to sign good goal keepers,” he said, “Last year the club conceded 45 goals yet scored only 32,”he lamented.

The former players met two months ago where similar deliberations took place but failed to give a way forward noting that they were giving the team a chance to improve.

Abbas who also helped Harambee Stars win their first CECAFA title in 1981 beating Tanzania in the final, noted that the recent spate of poor results have not been well received by the legends who want a quick return to the glory days.

Asked on why the former players have never thrown their hat in the ring as far club leadership is concerned, he retorted: “Elections are very expensive and the former players have no money. It’s a problem without money to vie for a seat either in Gor Mahia or Leopards.

“That’s why we have no legends leading the best two clubs in Kenya, ”he argued.

Meanwhile, Abbas has called upon well wishers to step in and help raise the Ksh 1.2 million required to foot the hospital bill of club great Tony Lidonde who is admitted in Dar es Salaam hospital.

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AFC Leopards Legend bbas Mahmoud crisis meeting Joe Masiga Josphat Murila

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