Rocked Leopards boss Lilumbi denies extortionist claims

AFC Leopards’ Organizing Secretary Timothy Lilumbi now claims the stunning extortionist claims labelled against him and club Treasurer Oliver Napali are the works of cartels within the club.

In a statement, Lilumbi delinked himself from the startling accusations filed in an online report by Citizen Digital touching on the dirty behind-the-scenes transfer dealings in Kenya’s second most successful club.

Stewart Hall and Dorian Marin – two of the latest foreign coaches at the Den – lifted the lid into what is threatening to punch holes on the ethics and integrity of the leadership of 12-time Kenyan Premier League champions.

Lilumbi Thursday said he had reached out to Hall over the claims with the Englishman distancing himself from the report.

“No former Leopards coach has written a complaint over the unethical signing of players; this is the work of cartels within our own club.

“Neither me nor the treasurer has been involved in any sort of money extortion. I have talked to Steward (Hall) and says he has not made such comments,” Lilumbi said.

Lilumbi admitted there has been a shift in transfer policy since the arrival of current Leopards boss Robert Matano with the coach now empowered to conduct the club’s transfer activity.

The official says the decision has not gone down well with ‘some agents/cartels’ who have been reaping from the business at the expense of the club.

“Matano told us the players we have are good but not good enough for a club of Leopards’ stature. We have continental duty next year and the coach has been insistent on the need for quality players.

“We have locked out all those who took advantage of the transfer business and opening the door for quality players only,” Lilumbi said.

Lilumbi who is the head of the technical says that, together with Napali, they have been unwilling to spend on mediocre signings and as long as the purse strings are kept closed, cartels will continue to try knocking them down.