AFC Leopards, one of Kenya’s most storied football clubs, has seen its fair share of ups and downs, both on the pitch and in management. Under the stewardship of Dan Shikanda, who took over as chair in 2019, the club has been making strides to regain its former glory. In a recent revelation, Shikanda shared a fascinating deal struck with former striker John Mark Makwatta, which highlighted the club’s innovative approach to player management and remuneration.
In 2019, when Makwatta rejoined AFC Leopards, Shikanda offered him a sign-on fee of Ksh 2 million and a monthly salary of Ksh 200,000. However, Makwatta proposed an unusual clause that would see his salary adjusted based on his performance. If he scored at least 10 goals in the first leg of the 2019/20 FKF Premier League, his salary would increase to Ksh 300,000; if not, it would be reduced to Ksh 100,000. As fate would have it, Makwatta surpassed the target, scoring more than 10 goals, and subsequently earned his Ksh 300,000 salary.
Shikanda used this example to emphasize the importance of investing in players to boost their performance. He lamented the generally poor pay across Kenyan football clubs, citing the disparity between local teams and their Tanzanian counterparts like Simba SC and Yanga, who are known for their substantial player investments.
“When I took over AFC, the highest amount that the strikers who wanted to sign for us were asking for was Ksh 35,000. Compare that to Gor Mahia who had signed Jacques Tuyisenge at the same time and were paying him Ksh 300,000. Of course, you could see the scoring statistics for Tuyisenge,” Shikanda noted.
He further pointed out that in Tanzania, clubs like Simba SC and Yanga can now afford to pay players Ksh 3 million, a stark contrast to the pay scales in Kenyan clubs. This investment has not only raised the standards of Tanzanian football but also transformed these clubs into formidable forces that no longer need to seek friendly matches with Kenyan teams for financial survival.
Reflecting on his tenure since assuming leadership at AFC Leopards, Shikanda acknowledged that it has been fraught with challenges, particularly financial constraints and opposition from certain quarters within the club. Despite these hurdles, Shikanda remains steadfast in his commitment to revitalizing the club, as evidenced by his efforts to improve player remuneration and embrace technology.
“When we lose, I receive plenty of calls from people. My phone is ever busy. But, when we win or need resources, no one picks my calls,” he lamented, underscoring the fickle nature of support he has encountered.
Shikanda was speaking at the launch of the Sports Tech Africa Conference, scheduled for October 16-17 at Strathmore University in Nairobi. The conference aims to bring together stakeholders in the sports industry to explore the role of technology in advancing the game. Shikanda highlighted AFC Leopards’ recent partnerships, including one with Hpaysa, as proof of the club’s commitment to integrating technology into its operations.
“I’d like for you to invite other football stakeholders on that day as well as officials so that they can come and garner information on how to use technology to grow the sport,” Shikanda urged.
AFC Leopards, fresh off a resounding 4-0 victory over Mathare United in their opening match of the FKF Premier League, currently sits atop the league table. As Shikanda continues to navigate the complexities of football management in Kenya, his forward-thinking approach, epitomized by the Makwatta deal, provides a hopeful vision for a brighter future for both AFC Leopards and Kenyan football at large.
