Abaluhya Football Club Leopards Sports Club, officially abbreviated as AFC Leopards, or simply known as AFC, Leopards or Ingwe (Luhya for ‘Leopards‘), is a Kenyan association 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 second most successful club behind Gor Mahia (18 titles), 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 a record 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 the name to Abaluhya Football Club when a number of small clubs amalgamated. In 1980 the club was named AFC Leopards till now.
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.
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| Full name | AFC Leopards SC |
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| Nickname(s) | Ingwe (The Leopards) |
| Short name | AFC, Leopards |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Ground | Nyayo National Stadium Nairobi |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| Chairman | Dan Shikanda |
| Head Coach | Patrick Aussems |
| League | Kenya Premier League |
| 2019–2020 | Kenya Premier League, 6th of 18 (Called off due to COVID) |
| Website | Club website |
History OF AFC Leopards
The 1960s: The Good Beginnings
From the 1960s or even earlier; the notion and formation of various Abaluya teams for invitational matches became the forerunner of what eventually would become Abaluhya United. The East African Standard Newspapaer published a report on the birth of a club called 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. This was reported in the newspaper on 12 March 1964, making it our official birthday.
The 1970s and 80s: Legacy Building and Golden Era
This was a period of the club’s sustained performance pushed the Club to more fame and paved the way for a future glorious era. This included winning the Kenya National Football League in an unbeaten fashion and in the process becoming the first Kenyan club to do so.
Business as usual as Leopards marked the 80s by bring more silverware to the Den marking an unprecedented period of dominance majorly in the domestic and regional scene.
The 1990s and 2000s: Little Success and Decline
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. However, the club’s strong team spirit, the goals of its founders, its relatively stable support base; ensured the club is rejuvenated.
Honours ( AFC Leopards)
League Honours
- Kenya National Football League/Kenyan Super League/Kenyan Premier League
- Champions (12): 1966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998
- Kenyan Nationwide League
- Champions (Promoted): 2008
Cup Honours (AFC Leopards)
- FKF President’s Cup: 10
- Champions (10): 1967, 1968,1984, 1985, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2009, 2013, 2017
- Runner’s Up: 1987, 1997, 2000, 2003
- CECAFA Club Cup: 5
- Champions (5): 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1997.
- Runner’s Up: 1974, 1980, 1985
- CECAFA Nile Basin Cup
- Runner’s Up: 2014
Performance of AFC Leopards in CAF competitions
African Cup of Champions Clubs/CAF Champions League
- First round exits: 1971, 1972, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1993, 1999
- Second round exits: 1989
- Quarter-finals: 1974, 1990
- Semi-final: 1968
CAF Confederation Cup
- Preliminary round exits: 2010
CAF Cup
- Quarter-finals: 1994, 1997
African Cup Winners’ Cup
- First round exits: 1992, 1992, 2002
- Second round exits: 1986
- Quarter-final exits: 1988
- Semi-final exits: 1985
Players of AFC Leopards
Current squad
- As of 2 November 2020
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out On Loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Footballing and Medical Staff of AFC Leopards
Board of Directors at AFC Leopards
Coaches and Managers of AFC Leopards2009-2010
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General statistics
| Total | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 4 | ||
| Matches played | 20 | 11 | 9 |
| Wins | 11 | 8 | 3 |
| Draws | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Losses | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Goals for | 23 | 14 | 9 |
| Goals against | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| Points | 37 | 24 | 13 |
| Clean sheets | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Avg. goals scored p/m | 1.15 | 1.27 | 1.00 |
| Avg. goals conceded p/m | 0.75 | 0.82 | 0.67 |
| Avg. time 1st goal scored | – | – | – |
| Avg. time 1st goal conced. | – | – | – |
| Failed to score | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Biggest victory | 3 – 0 | 3 – 0 | 2 – 0 |
| Biggest defeat | 0 – 2 | 0 – 2 | 1 – 2 |
TROPHIES
| Club Domestic | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FKF Premier League | Runner-up | 1x | 2013 |
| Super Cup | Runner-up | 1x | 2018 |
NYAYO NATIONAL STADIUM
- Address: Langata Road / Mombasa Road
- City: Nairobi
- Website: http://www.stadiumskenya.co.ke
- Opened: 1983
- Capacity: 30000
- Surface: grass
- Previous names: 2009 Coca Cola National Stadium
