The Lion heading back to the den

Robert Matano has been tipped to take over the helms at AFC Leopards as the head coach.

Matano who won the coach of the year award in 2009 after helping Sofapaka to win the Kenyan Premier League in their first season, is seen as the better option to handle the wounded and limping Leopards who have not won in nine league matches.

Leopards Chief Executive Officer Ronald Namai has told  Citizen Digital that the former international has confirmed he is ready to be a ‘Leopard’ once again.

“Matano has said he is willing though we are also talking to other local coaches and come to a conclusion on who to come on board,” added Namai.

Matano who is now at Bidco FC as the head coach has also coached Ulinzi Stars and Mathare United and the defending champions Tusker FC as well as Sofapaka and City Stars in the top flight league.

He will be returning to the Den once again after he was fired in 2010 after just one year in charge.

Tom Juma who was appointed the interim head coach will serve as the assistant coach on a long term contract since Ingwe is keen to keep him at the Den.

The CEO has alluded to the fact that the playing unit has been beefed up through signing of a few players to make a formidable squad, but it will depend on the kind of technical bench that will be hired by the National Executive Committee to produce desired results.

The biggest problem Ingwe has gone through is the frequent change of coaches which has also impacted negatively to the playing unit.

“Playing unit is okay but the problem is on our technical bench. We were committed to having a long term coach but when Stewart Hall decided to resign, we hired Dorian Marin who did not fit into our systems and that’s why we are looking for a quick solution,” Namai added.

Leopards will be issuing a press statement on Friday July 7th on the interim technical bench which will be expected to lead the Club for the remainder of the season.

AFC Leopards is now in position 12 with 16 points after 15 matches and will be keen to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Kariobangi Sharks in the Kenyan Premier League when they face Nairobi Stima in a GoTv Shield second round match at the Mumias Sports Complex this weekend.