'They've become a 'next season' team'- Shimanyula likens AFC Leopards to Arsenal

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'They've become a 'next season' team'- Shimanyula likens AFC Leopards to Arsenal

Festus Chuma 08:00 - 24.08.2024

Kakamega Homeboyz FC chairman has mocked AFC Leopards' title claims likening them to Arsenal's repeated unfulfilled championship promises.

Kakamega Homeboyz FC chairman Cleophas Shimanyula has starkly dismissed AFC Leopards' hopes for clinching the league title this upcoming season, likening their repeated promises to those of Arsenal in the English Premier League.

The bold commentary followed after Shikanda, during the FKF Awards Gala in July, vowed that Ingwe would put an end to their 26-year league title drought in the 2024-25 season.

During a recent interview, Shimanyula expressed skepticism about his rival club's chances, asserting that the Ingwe are setting themselves up for disappointment.

"Shikanda is just daydreaming, building castles in the air. He knows it's impossible for AFC Leopards to win the title, yet he's already blowing his own trumpet as he does every time a season is about to start,” Shimanyula told SportsBoom, as quoted by MozzartSport.

“He's dreaming, and who doesn't dream? It's good for him to dream now. He should celebrate winning the title in his dreams, but not in reality, because I don’t see it happening anytime soon," Shimanyula added.

Shimanyula did not stop at mere verbal rebuffs as he issued a challenge to the AFC Leopards, underscoring the practical difficulties they face in achieving their lofty ambitions.

“This isn't the first time Shikanda has fed Ingwe fans empty promises. They've become a 'next season' team, much like Arsenal in the Premier League—always promising a title next season but ending without a trophy. Nothing will change at AFC Leopards; they won't win the league. In fact, ask them to beat Homeboyz both home and away before they even think about the title. That's what they should focus on—getting maximum points from us. I know it's a tall order for them, just as winning the league next season will be," he elaborated.

AFC Leopards, who last hoisted a trophy in 2017 with the FKFCup, are predicted to face another challenging season.

"They won't win anything—not even the domestic Cup. They'll end the season without a trophy. Mark my words and ask me when the season concludes. It's unfortunate for Shikanda to give his fans false hope when he knows it's not possible," he added.

Moreover, Shimanyula criticized the potential impact of Shikanda's public declarations on the team's performance.

By setting such high public expectations, he argued, there could be undue pressure on the players, which might backfire.

“He's putting too much pressure on the players, and this may backfire. He should have handled it quietly, set internal goals, and communicated his expectations to the players without making unnecessary noise," he noted.

The banter heating up off the field increases the pressure on AFC Leopards to finally end their title drought and prove their doubters wrong, or they risk cementing their status as a perennial "next season" team.