Former Harambee Stars striker Bonface Ambani has thrown his hat into the ring for the AFC Leopards chairmanship, hoping to steer the once-dominant club back to its glory days. His candidacy has sparked fresh hope among fans who remember his lethal partnership with his older brother, Fred Ambani, during the club’s last league triumph in 1998. With Fred currently serving as head coach, Bonface envisions a strategic reunion that could be key to reigniting the club’s winning spirit.
Ambani is driven by a deep-seated passion for the club that nurtured his early career. He outlines a clear and ambitious vision for AFC Leopards, centered on management reform, youth development, and restoring pride in the team’s identity. “Management is where the biggest problems lie,” he stated, pledging to lead by example and inject professionalism into the club’s administration.
One of his major concerns is the club’s stagnant membership and weak revenue streams. With only 7,000 registered members and poor merchandise sales, Ambani believes there is enormous untapped potential. His plan includes aggressive membership drives, improving merchandising strategies, and engaging fans to build a financially sustainable model.
A vital part of his manifesto is improving the club’s recruitment strategy. Ambani has vowed to ensure that every player who dons the Leopards jersey understands the club’s heritage and carries the weight of its expectations. “It’s not just any club this is a historic, international brand,” he emphasized.
In addition, he wants to revamp the club’s youth system. Drawing from his experience coaching the junior team, Ambani plans to establish structured pathways for talent development. His strategy includes organizing youth tournaments, scouting in schools, and even exploring partnerships with institutions abroad, including in countries like Iceland. The goal is to build a robust pipeline of players who are groomed from a young age to represent the club.
Ambani has also addressed potential concerns over working alongside his brother Fred, given their shared history. He maintains that their collaboration has always been based on professionalism and shared goals. “We were strike partners when Leopards last won the league. We know how to work together to get results,” he said confidently.
Having been previously barred from contesting, Ambani now finds himself with a renewed opportunity. His focus is legacy not just personal, but one that transforms the club into a symbol of excellence once again. “I want to look back one day and say I helped return AFC Leopards to the top,” he declared with conviction.
