2 Jan 2027
Saturday
Process
22 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

28 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Boardroom

Wages eat 347% of everything AFC Leopards earn

There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.

Squad

Ronald Sichenje gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Levis Esambe knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AFC Leopards, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

Back issues
21 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

21 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Levis Esambe out for 14 days

The medical room confirms 14 days on the sidelines for Levis Esambe, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Musa Oundo

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

James Kinyanjui asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

20 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

14 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Brian Wanyama: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” AFC Leopards have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Reece Braithwaite

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

James Kinyanjui knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AFC Leopards, and both men came out saying it was fine.

In brief

19 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

7 Dec 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

James Kinyanjui asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Levis Esambe stays put

“The easiest signature of my career.” Levis Esambe and AFC Leopards agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.

Squad

Victor Omune gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

18 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

30 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Boardroom

450% of the income goes out in wages at AFC Leopards

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Squad

Hassan Beja knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AFC Leopards, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Market

Maxwell Otieno placed on the list

AFC Leopards have made Maxwell Otieno available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.

In brief

17 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

23 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

AFC Leopards lose Levis Esambe

43 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Vincent Mahiga

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Hassan Beja asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

16 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

16 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Vincent Mahiga says AFC Leopards went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Levis Esambe

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

The Samuel Ssenyonjo talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. AFC Leopards know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

In brief

15 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

9 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Ronald Sichenje: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” AFC Leopards have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Market

Hassan Beja linked with a move away

The name of Hassan Beja keeps appearing in other people's back pages. AFC Leopards say nothing, which says plenty.

Market

James Kinyanjui placed on the list

AFC Leopards have made James Kinyanjui available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.

In brief

14 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

2 Nov 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Maxwell Otieno asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Elias Mugane Muriuki says AFC Leopards went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Boardroom

450% of the income goes out in wages at AFC Leopards

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Market

AFC Leopards and Peter Maker are talking past each other

“There is a gap, and pretending there is not helps nobody.” Neither side has moved, and the calendar is working for exactly one of them.

Squad

James Kinyanjui knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AFC Leopards, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Squad

Edwin Simiyu gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

13 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

26 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

James Kinyanjui asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Squad

Peter Maker says AFC Leopards went back on their word

“I was told what my role would be, and I signed on that basis. It has not happened.” A grievance with a date attached is the hardest kind to settle.

Squad

Reece Braithwaite gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

In brief

12 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

19 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Reece Braithwaite: that is not what I was promised

“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” AFC Leopards have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Victor Omune

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Squad

Musa Oundo asks for a word with the manager

“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.

In brief

11 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

12 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Musa Oundo knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AFC Leopards, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Squad

International call for James Kinyanjui

James Kinyanjui joins up with his country. AFC Leopards lose him for the window and would like him back in one piece.

Squad

International call for Humphrey Katasi

Humphrey Katasi joins up with his country. AFC Leopards lose him for the window and would like him back in one piece.

In brief

10 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

5 Oct 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

Maxwell Otieno asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Boardroom

814% of the income goes out in wages at AFC Leopards

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Levis Esambe

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

AFC Leopards put James Kinyanjui up for sale

The list is a quiet document with a loud meaning. James Kinyanjui may talk to anybody who asks, and everybody at the club understands what that means.

Squad

James Kinyanjui has company in his position

The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. James Kinyanjui keeps the shirt for now, at AFC Leopards's convenience rather than his own.

Market

Faxriddin Muhammadov joins AFC Leopards on a free

No fee and no drama: Faxriddin Muhammadov has signed at AFC Leopards, and the wage bill is the only line that moved.

In brief

9 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

28 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

James Kinyanjui asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Match

No end in sight to AFC Leopards's wait for a win

4 matches now without a victory, and the excuses have worn thinner than the patience. Somebody at AFC Leopards has to find a result from somewhere.

Squad

Reece Braithwaite gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

AFC Leopards share the spoils with Nairobi United

A 1-1 draw with Nairobi United leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.

Squad

Victor Omune is off the mark for AFC Leopards

The first one is the one every signing is asked about until it arrives. It has arrived, and he can stop being asked.

Squad

The shirt belongs to Reece Braithwaite now

At 21 he has made the position his own, and the man he took it from has to find something to say about it. AFC Leopards have a decision that made itself.

In brief

8 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

21 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

Julius Masaba gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

AFC Leopards draw a blank against Mathare United

The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Mathare United defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.

Market

Vincent Mahiga placed on the list

AFC Leopards have made Vincent Mahiga available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.

In brief

7 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

14 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Squad

AFC Leopards lose Boniface Munyendo

18 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.

Squad

Peter Maker gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

No goals between AFC Leopards and Tusker

Ninety minutes, two goalkeepers with clean gloves, and not one finish worth keeping. Tusker will be the happier side with the point.

In brief

6 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

7 Sep 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Maxwell Otieno asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Boardroom

657% of the income goes out in wages at AFC Leopards

Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.

Match

AFC Leopards come up short against Ulinzi Stars

Ulinzi Stars left with the points after a 0-1 defeat that will take some explaining on the terraces.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Victor Omune

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

AFC Leopards and Peter Maker are talking past each other

“There is a gap, and pretending there is not helps nobody.” Neither side has moved, and the calendar is working for exactly one of them.

Squad

James Kinyanjui called up by his country

A window away with the national side, and a shirt at AFC Leopards that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.

In brief

5 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

31 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Steady

Market

James Kinyanjui asks to leave AFC Leopards

“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.

Market

AFC Leopards sign Edwin Simiyu for $80.0K

The paperwork is done: Edwin Simiyu joins from Tusker in a deal worth $80.0K. Now comes the harder part.

Market

AFC Leopards sell Christopher Koloti for $40.0K

Christopher Koloti has left for KCB in a $40.0K deal. The accountants are pleased; the supporters are less certain.

Match

AFC Leopards get the job done against Kenya Police

A 1-0 win over Kenya Police, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Vincent Mahiga

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

Randy Bakari told to find a new club

“They were honest with me, and I would rather know.” Randy Bakari has been informed he is not in the manager's thinking at AFC Leopards.

In brief

4 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

24 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Match

The cup run ends for AFC Leopards

0-0 against Posta Rangers, and the road stops here. Cup exits are quick deaths — no second leg, no next week, just the league from now until May.

Squad

Humphrey Katasi decides it from twelve yards

1 kept out in the shoot-out, and a stadium that will still be describing them in twenty years. A goalkeeper only needs one of these to be remembered forever.

Market

Samuel Semo hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what AFC Leopards can pretend not to have heard.

Match

AFC Leopards see off Muranga Seal

Three points for AFC Leopards, 1-0 the final word against Muranga Seal in a contest settled by the finer margins.

Squad

Musa Oundo gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Squad

Tyson Otieno knocks on the manager's door

“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at AFC Leopards, and both men came out saying it was fine.

Market

AFC Leopards put Victor Omune up for sale

The list is a quiet document with a loud meaning. Victor Omune may talk to anybody who asks, and everybody at the club understands what that means.

Market

The Samuel Ssenyonjo talk will not go away

Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. AFC Leopards know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.

Squad

Tyson Otieno has company in his position

The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Tyson Otieno keeps the shirt for now, at AFC Leopards's convenience rather than his own.

In brief

3 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

17 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Squad

Boniface Munyendo out for 49 days

The medical room confirms 49 days on the sidelines for Boniface Munyendo, and a plan built around him now has to be rebuilt.

Market

AFC Leopards turn down Bidco United for Christopher Koloti

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Squad

James Kinyanjui gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Match

AFC Leopards draw a blank against Bidco United

The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Bidco United defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.

Market

AFC Leopards put Musa Oundo up for sale

The list is a quiet document with a loud meaning. Musa Oundo may talk to anybody who asks, and everybody at the club understands what that means.

Market

Hassan Beja linked with a move away

The name of Hassan Beja keeps appearing in other people's back pages. AFC Leopards say nothing, which says plenty.

In brief

2 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

10 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Crisis

Market

Maxwell Otieno hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what AFC Leopards can pretend not to have heard.

Market

AFC Leopards turn down US Bougouni for Fredrick Alushula

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Match

Kariobangi Sharks take the points off AFC Leopards

Beaten 1-2, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.

Squad

Humphrey Katasi gets it from the manager

“Nobody here is above being told.” It was not said with a name attached, but the dressing room can count, and so can everybody who was listening.

Market

Nobody at AFC Leopards has picked up the phone to Kaycie Odhiambo

48 months to run and not a word offered. A club that lets the calendar negotiate for it usually ends up losing to the calendar.

Market

AFC Leopards and Vincent Mahiga are talking past each other

“There is a gap, and pretending there is not helps nobody.” Neither side has moved, and the calendar is working for exactly one of them.

In brief

1 Edition

The AFC Leopards Herald

3 Aug 2026
From our football correspondent Uneasy

Market

James Kinyanjui hands in a written request

“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what AFC Leopards can pretend not to have heard.

Market

AFC Leopards turn down AS Bakaridjan for Ronald Sichenje

The offer was not close and it was refused without much discussion. Whether the second one is refused as quickly is another matter.

Squad

Humphrey Katasi signs a new deal

“I never wanted to be anywhere else. There is unfinished business here.” Humphrey Katasi commits to AFC Leopards for another 3 years.

Market

Kariobangi Sharks watching Kelly Madada

The interest is real enough to have reached print. AFC Leopards have said nothing, which in a transfer window is its own kind of answer.

Squad

The manager makes an example of Victor Omune

“If you cannot run for the shirt, somebody else will wear it.” No name was used and none was needed; every player in that room knew who it was for.

Market

The clock runs on Tyson Otieno's contract

49 months left and silence from upstairs — no offer, no talks, nothing for his people to answer. Clubs that let a calendar do their negotiating usually end up negotiating with the calendar.

In brief