‘Riggy G’ reveals his love for success-starved AFC Leopards

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

‘Riggy G’ reveals his love for success-starved AFC Leopards

Joel Omotto 16:32 - 01.06.2024

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed how he has supported AFC Leopards for many years even as the club continues to struggle for success.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed his admiration for FKF Premier League giants AFC Leopards.

Gachagua says he has been supporting Ingwe for nearly four decades with the love not fading even as the club has struggled to achieve success on the pitch in over 20 years.

Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations in Bungoma on Saturday, Gachagua said Leopards and Gor Mahia provided Kenyans with great entertainment and contests in the 1980s before English football took over at the turn of the millennium.

“Before the advent of Manchester United and Arsenal, we had a great contest in the 80s and 90s between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. During that time, I was a fan of football. I was and remain a great supporter of AFC Leopards,” Gachagua told the gathering.

Gachagua’s revelation comes in a week when Ingwe exited the FKF Cup, their final chance for silverware this season, meaning they will go for seven straight years without a trophy while rivals Gor Mahia are set to lift a record-extending 21st league crown.

There is still no indication that it will change next season for the success-starved Leopards fans whose team last won the league in 1998.

However, they can draw solace from having support from the top echelons of the country with Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi the senior most government officials who openly support the club.

President William Ruto has also shown a soft spot for Ingwe in recent years, contributing to the club’s coffers with handsome donations during fundraisers, and was their chief guest during the club’s 60th-anniversary celebrations in March when he donated Ksh10 million.

Leopards have had a difficult 2023-24 season that saw them closer to the relegation places in the first leg before a turnaround this year to move to their current sixth place.

A lot of investment will be needed in the squad to be able to compete with the likes of Gor Mahia and Tusker FC next season when fans like ‘Riggy G’ will hope to see the club back on the winners’ podium.

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