AFC Leopards, one of Kenya’s most prominent football clubs, is facing a potential legal dispute with Singaporean sportswear manufacturer MAFRO Sports due to delayed payments for this season’s kit. The situation has escalated to a point where MAFRO Sports is threatening to cancel the contract, which could have significant financial and logistical consequences for the club.
MAFRO Sports, which entered into an agreement with AFC Leopards through its East Africa marketing manager, Shon Osimbo, had promised to deliver the team’s new kits in time for the start of the current season. However, despite the kits being ready for delivery for over two months, AFC Leopards has not settled the outstanding balance, which now totals USD 32,000. In addition, the club is facing accumulating warehouse charges of USD 5,000 (approximately Ksh 4.1 million).
According to a demand letter from MAFRO Sports’ CEO, Mahmoud Gomda, the club has failed to meet its financial obligations, and the warehouse charges continue to rise as the kits remain stored. The letter specifically addressed AFC Leopards, urging them to settle the outstanding balance as soon as possible.
The situation has grown more tense due to the lack of communication from the club’s hierarchy. Osimbo expressed frustration over the club’s indifference when she raised concerns about the delayed payments. She claimed that her attempts to seek clarification and resolve the issue were met with a lack of commitment from club officials.
The club’s troubles began when a consignment of kits, which was supposed to be delivered in full, arrived incomplete in September. The shipment lacked the goalkeeper’s kits, prompting the club to seek clarification. MAFRO Sports responded by requesting an additional payment for shipping fees amounting to around USD 1,500 (Ksh 193,000) to cover the cost of the remaining kit items.
However, AFC Leopards’ treasurer, Oliver Napal, refused to pay the extra shipping fees, which led to a halt in the delivery of the complete kit. As a result, the team has had to rely on last season’s kits for match days, while Umbro kits from the previous season have been used for training. This situation has left the club in a precarious position, with limited options for kit supplies as the season progresses.
Osimbo has warned that if the outstanding payments are not settled soon, MAFRO Sports may be forced to cancel the agreement, which would not only leave AFC Leopards without the necessary kits but could also result in costly legal battles. This threat of cancellation is a severe blow to the club, as it could mean additional legal fees and further financial strain.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that AFC Leopards, a 12-time FKF Premier League champion, is already under pressure in other areas. The club’s management and its head coach, Tomas Trucha, are facing scrutiny as results on the pitch have not been up to expectations. The threat of legal action over unpaid debts adds to the mounting challenges the club is facing both on and off the field.
For AFC Leopards, this issue could have long-lasting effects on the club’s finances and reputation. The legal and financial ramifications of breaking a deal with a kit manufacturer could hinder future sponsorship opportunities and make it more difficult for the club to secure new partnerships. Furthermore, the team’s players and fans are left in limbo, uncertain about the club’s ability to fulfill basic logistical needs, such as providing adequate kits for matches and training sessions.
The situation highlights broader issues within the management of African football clubs, where financial mismanagement and delays in payments to suppliers and service providers often lead to operational challenges. In this case, AFC Leopards’ inability to honor its commitments could set a negative precedent for other clubs in the region, further complicating the already fragile relationship between African football clubs and international sponsors.
As the pressure mounts, both sides will have to find a resolution quickly to avoid the severe consequences of legal action and possible contract termination.
