‘Bring Your A-Game, Not Complaints’ - Ex-AFC Leopards Chairman Fires Back at Current Boss Over Mismanagement Claims

Former AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has wasted no time in responding to his successor Boniface Ambani who made a number of allegations regarding his tenure.

In a strongly-worded Facebook post on Thursday, Ambani listed several issues under the Shikanda administration that he said contributed to the downfall of the club while hitting at his critics for keeping quiet during that time only to attack him once he took over.

Ambani claimed the former administration pocketed players’ allowances, salaries and signing-on fees, made a number of contractual blunders that saw the club lose millions to former players and coaches over unfair terminations and was riddled with questionable court cases.

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The former Leopards striker also claimed the Shikanda administration signed unscrupulous training ground deals, paid gate collections to individual mobile money accounts, fleeced leaders from Western Kenya and left empty coffers, which crippled the club, while saying he has cleaned a lot of the mess in just four months in office and so critics should get off his back.

However, Shikanda has fired back with his own ‘truths,’ denying the allegations, while questioning whether Ambani is ready for the role as he feels the current Leopards chairman should be focusing on steadying the club and not firefighting on social media.

“So many players came and went during my tenure. At some point, your own brother served as assistant coach and later acting coach — as Head of the Technical team. How many complaints did he receive from players about unpaid salaries or “chewed” allowances then?” Shikanda posed over the allegation of pocketing players’ allowances and salaries.

“These same players live freely among us today — kindly produce one who can confirm your allegations.”

On the allegation of several and questionable court cases, the now FKF NEC member said: “Court cases are not a discovery of your administration. When I assumed office, I inherited multiple cases dating back to 2013-2014, including the famous Sejere matter. Did I summon [Allan] Kasavuli and the then officials for a social media showdown? No.”

“I handled it quietly, professionally, and settled more than 15 other cases. That’s what leadership looks like — bring your A-game, not your complaints.”

“’Unscrupulous training ground deals’. Do you have a copy of any signed deal to support that claim? Better still, ask the Team Manager you inherited, he personally handled training ground bookings and payments. The ground was hired and paid on a need basis. Verdict: Lies,” was Shikanda’s response on signing unscrupulous training ground deals.

Shikanda also commented on the matter of paying gate collections to individual mobile money accounts.

“C’mon. The Pochi la Biashara model was introduced to curb fan payment reversals, a persistent challenge during match days. Every cent collected was accounted for and reconciled. It was an administrative measure, not a cash cow. Let’s not insult the intelligence of the people involved with half-truths,” he further said while denying that there were any political leaders fleeced by former officials.

The former Gor Mahia striker wonders why his successor did not question the issue of club debts during the handover ceremony when it was explained to him.

“Those debts were clearly outlined during the official handover — a process you personally attended. So this sudden discovery and social media outrage? Pure drama,” said Shikanda.

It is not certain who between the two past and present Leopards chairman is saying the truth but the drama surrounding Ingwe looks far from over and it remains to be seen how the issues raised will be addressed going forward.

Ambani has come under pressure to sack coach Fred Ambani after Ingwe started the season with three straight draws and the clamour for a change in the dugout will increase if Leopards fail to beat KCB on Saturday afternoon.