Ambani turns down Leopards assistant coach role

AFC Leopards legend Boniface Ambani has turned down his appointment as senior team’s assistant head coach, just three days after the club hierarchy made the announcement.

Ambani who is currently the head coach of Leopards youth team Ingwe Cubs at the same time called for structured format of engagement before he can consider the offer.

Ambani who previously turned out for amongst others Tanzania giants Yanga SC believes that the playing unit’s confidence has taken a major beating after four successive losses, the most recent  being the 2-0 humiliation in the Mashemeji derby in the hands of  erstwhile rivals Gor Mahia.

“I’m still the head coach of Ingwe cubs and not the senior team assistant. You cannot just call me on phone to offer me a job.

“Sometimes people have to follow structured format, put the table the terms, we discuss and disagree to agree before I accept search a job,”Ambani said.

Leopards has had a rough ride in the league winning just two of their matches , drawing four  and losing six condemning them to position 15 on  the table with just two points separating them with the bottom team Posta Rangers .

“I would like to help but conditions and terms should be open to me. I’m not afraid of the job because I believe that the boys can deliver only when they get the confidence which is paramount here,” the former international added.

In a separate interview, club Secretary General Oscar Igaida said that the issues raised by Ambani will be discussed during the club’s executive meeting set for Tuesday, adding that the ex- international “would add value to the team”.

“It’s (Ambani issue) among the agenda to be discussed tomorrow (Tuesday) so we will have a final word on that after the meeting,” Igaida told Citizen Digital when querried on the matter.

“We are also having several options though Ambani is one of them. He is doing a good job with the Ingwe Club,”Igaida added.

Meanwhile Igaida has thrown his weight behind besieged Chairman Dan Mule noting that there is no  leadership change in the national executive committee despite the reported formation of  ‘Rescue Team’ to steer the club.

The rescue team was formed on Wednesday by an amorphous body terming themselves ‘Friends of Leopards’ to supposedly steer the club for 60 days in a bid to address the teething issues at the club.

Igaida was also quick to jump to the defence of the rescue team likening it to a commission of inquiry. He said: “The rescue team has not been put in place to replace the executive committee and that’s why I am also a member.

“Dan Mule is still the Chairman of Leopards and it’s not in order to say that he has been overthrown.

“The Chairman is in Zambia doing his personal business and when he returns tomorrow (Tuesday), he will be able to make a statement,”he concluded.

Rescue Team Members

Chairman -Maurice Amahwa

Vice chairman- Dr Dan Shikanda

Secretary- Oscar Igaida

Treasurer- Napali

Executive Members

Ekhalie Richard

Rachel Shebesh

Felix Shitsama