Published on March 24, 2024 by Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 2 years by Kenya Online News
President William, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba were in attendance as Football Kenya Federation Premier League side AFC Leopards ended their 60th anniversary celebration with a match against Spanish side AE Ramassa at Nyayo National Stadium.
AFC Leopards managed a 4-3 win over the visiting Spanish side at a packed stadium in-front of President Ruto, Governor Sakaja and other distinguished leaders.
Sakaja, who is a former AFC Leopards patron, praised the Kenyan Football giants noting that AFC Lopards, which is Kenya’s oldest football club, has a rich history that is embedded in Kenya’s history.
Ingwe fielded former players in their starting XI who had to work harder after going down first.
Ramassa broke the deadlock first at Nyayo Stadium before Michael Khamati equalised for the Kenyan giants, and the scoreline stayed at 1-1 at the halftime break.
The winning goal was scored by Charles Okwemba, and the giants held onto the lead to claim the win on their big day.
That came after select Leopards sides from the current squad had drawn 1-1 with both Shabana and Gor Mahia.
Brian Yakhama broke the deadlock against K’Ogalo but Austin Odhiambo ensured a share of the spoils later as the friendly ‘Mashemeji derby’ ended level.
Against Shabana, Kevin Kimani’s first half penalty was cancelled out by Japhet Lihanda six minutes into the second half and both sides held on for the draw.
Before the match against the Spanish fourth-tier side, the current AFC Leopards players had played against Premier League rivals Shabana and Gor . In both games, they managed one-all draws.
During the celebration, President Ruto gave a Ksh. 10 Million donation to the club as Nairobi Governor Sakaja and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba each donated Ksh. 2 Million. Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, his Kisii counterpart Simba Arati and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi each donated Ksh. 1Million, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi pledged Ksh 500,000 and Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna pledged Ksh 200,000 at the tail end of the pecking order. Conspicuously, outspoken Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was missing on the list of benefactors of the club as he again missed out at the funds drive.
