Dan Shikanda highlights AFC Leopards' financial struggles, reveals Gor Mahia's secret to success

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda is blaming their woes on a lack of a striker. Photo/AFC Leopards

Dan Shikanda highlights AFC Leopards' financial struggles, reveals Gor Mahia's secret to success

Abigael Wafula 12:54 - 31.03.2025

Dan Shikanda has shed light on what has led to AFC Leopards' financial challenges as he explained what sets Gor Mahia apart.

AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has explained the one major advantage Gor Mahia has over them, that sometimes affects the players’ performances.

Dan Shikanda revealed that Gor Mahia, led by their long-serving chairman Ambrose Rachier have managed to maximise community help, a move that has propelled their efforts to excel financially and on the pitch.

Shikanda pointed out that Gor Mahia have very selfless community leaders, unlike AFC Leopards, who have struggled to grow financially due to the nature of the community leaders.

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He added that the club belongs to the chairman and the fans and the community does not play a huge role in their success.

Shikanda revealed that when Sportpesa halted their sponsorship for the club, he could not reach out to any community leader to help, something that almost made him quit if not for Ambrose Rachier’s advice.

“Gor Mahia have the fans, Gor Mahia itself and then there is community leadership involved. Honestly speaking, our community leaders have not backed AFC Leopards the way Gor Mahia has been backed,” Dan Shikanda said in an interview on Radio 47.

“There was a time we never had the sponsorship and that’s when I realised, AFC is the chairman’s team because I called several people and they never picked…that time when Sportpesa withdrew their sponsorship.”

He did not rule out the fact that some leaders including Ken Lusaka, and Musalia Mudavadi have helped ensure the club stays afloat.

However, he revealed that they only help when compelled to and not necessarily when there is a need, adding that on days he needs them the most, they might fail to show up.

“However, there has been some help from some leaders. For instance, Musalia Mudavadi gave us Ksh 633,000 for the land but football is very expensive,” he shared.

“Rachier has said they are mostly helped by the community and that is very important because in case there is a gap, you will be able to help the team through them to move forward.

“I can’t say the community has abandoned us completely but there are times we need that help and it does not come.”

Currently, as far as the Kenya Premier League is concerned, Gor Mahia are third with 43 points while AFC Leopards are fifth with 37. The Mashemeji derby on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium saw the match end in a goalless draw.