Cleophas Musenge is a middle-aged man.
He owns a butcher shop lying deep in the heart of Mathare slums. When asked to describe himself, he stutters a little, as if pondering his existence.
Before finally concluded that he is a simple man.
There are three things he adores in his life. God, family, and football. Particularly, being an AFC Leopards fan.
He yearns for the glory days when the Leopards dominated the Kenyan Premier League and gave Gor a run for their money.
The days that matches were so adrenaline-pumped that you had to have your ‘briefcase ya mawe’ on the ready.
And woe unto you if you skipped leg day. Because after the game, you had to participate in the cat and mouse shenanigans with the police!
Those days are long gone. Leopards have fallen from grace, and Gor has assumed the mantle of the most dominant football club in the country.
But all that could change…
AFC Leopards are poised to announce the promotion of Boniface Ambani to assistant coach, bringing with him his expertise to the first team’s technical bench.
The announcement is set to be made prior to the biggest rivalry in Kenyan football.
Yes folks, Saturday we are up for the Mashemeju derby!
And following the exit of international coach Marko Vasilijevic, it is only logical for AFC Leopards to make such a calculated step.
On Twitter, a number of fans expressed optimism on the impending appointment, considering how poorly the Leopards have performed this season.
Bring back Boniface Ambani to AFC Leopards and you will see 25 goals , give us break with this Dennis oliech and Gor mahia, his agemates are coaches ,aachane kukimbizana na watoto
— Grandy8 (@garang_lalik) January 9, 2019
And for the likes of Musenge who were present during the club’s glory days, this could be the much-needed revival the club is looking for.
Currently, Leopards sit at a shockingly 15th position in the 18-team league, suffering a horrendous 2-1 loss to Mount Kenya United on Wednesday.
For now, Musenge only hopes that Ambani’s experience will help Leopards avoid relegation.