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Ambani, who was part of the squad that won their last league title in 1998, has thrown his hat in the ring for the chairmanship position ahead of their next club elections.
Former AFC Leopards striker Boniface Ambani has unveiled an ambitious plan to rejuvenate the club and return it to its rightful place at the top of Kenyan football if he is elected as chairman in the upcoming elections.
The ex-Kenyan international, who also starred for Tanzanian giants Yanga SC, announced his candidacy with confidence, promising to lead the 12-time league champions out of their 26-year title drought.
“Very early in the morning, I will be vying for the AFC Leopards chairman seat. Anyone who is interested can start preparing to be defeated in the elections,” Ambani declared to Citizen Digital.
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Ambani inspired AFC Leopards back to winning ways in his first match as interim coach after Czech coach Tomas Trucha departed the club for the second time.
“When I want something, I go for it with my heart—it is not trial and error.”
Under the leadership of current chairman Dan Shikanda, AFC Leopards have struggled to compete with their perennial rivals Gor Mahia, who boast a record 21 league titles. Ambani has promised to implement clear strategies and structures to elevate the club and return it to dominance.
“By the time I say, ‘now guys it’s enough for me with AFC Leopards,’ I can assure you that the person who will take over will get good structures laid down to run the club in an official and professional manner,” Ambani assured.
Financial independence is key
Ambani, who recently left his role as Mara Sugar technical director after nearly four years in which his expertise helped promote them for the first time ever, has previously emphasised financial restructuring as a critical pillar of his leadership plan.
Speaking to Football KE Fans TV in 2023, he proposed a multi-tiered membership model to generate sustainable revenue for clubs.
“Restructure the club. Get almost 10,000 members, and out of those, get at least 1,000 who will each give you at least Ksh100,000 per month. Those that you give platinum privileges will enjoy all benefits of the club,” Ambani explained.
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He envisions creating platinum, gold, bronze, and regular membership categories, offering exclusive benefits such as merchandise and perks for high-tier members. This model, he argues, could empower clubs to negotiate better sponsorship deals.
“If you collect almost one billion from fans, you can tell sponsors your value and demand better deals,” he added.
Ambani also highlighted the untapped potential in merchandise sales, calling on AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia to cater to all age groups, including children.
“AFC and Gor only sell shirts for adults. They do not think about children who need kits as well. If I am selling a jersey for Ksh1,500, imagine how much revenue could come from one family with three children,” Ambani explained.
Follow Pulse Sports Kenya for more sports news updates and analysis.
Leopards, currently seventh in the league, are under the interim stewardship of his brother, Fred Ambani and Kenneth Wendo after the recent dismissal of coach Tomas Trucha. With elections slated for next year, Ambani’s candidacy promises to be a pivotal moment for the club.
If elected, Ambani’s ambitious plans could pave the way for a transformative era, reigniting hope among Ingwe's loyal fanbase.
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