AFC Leopards in the early 1980s

The early 80s were the glory days for the club. The club played played to packed stadiums at each game. Chants of "AFC, AFC AFC" rent the air each time a goal was scored, While the fans danced to the tune of the Isikuti drummers who ran up and down the stadium for the entire 90 minutes of the game. In 1980 , the club had to comply with an order from the President who in effect banned all tribal associations. The name of the club was changed from Abaluhya FC to All Footballers club, Leopards, still maintaining the AFC initials.

In the early 80s , The club fielded what is one of the most formidable playing units ever fielded by a Kenyan team. Ugandan, Robert Kiberu was the coach. Flambuoyant goalkeeper , Mahmoud Abass arrined from Coastal team Mwenge FC , to replace David Keffa whose career was ended by injury. In Francis Lubembe, AFC had a capable backup goal keeper. Josephat Murila confidently marshallaed the defence which also had Pius Masinza , Patrick Shilasi "Omar Bongo" and John Arieno "Papa". Francis Kadenge played right wing while Abdul Barasa played left wing. Wilberforce Mulamba was a force to reckon with at inside left. He was an excellent dribbler and a deadly finisher.

There is no striker who inspired more fear in opposing defenders in the history of Kenyan football than Joe Masiga who also featured on the Kenya National Rugby team. His avuncular frame and breathtaking speed created nightmares for many stoppers.

Wilberforce Mulamba was nicknamed "Maradona" because of his breathtaking skills.

AFC Leopards went on to win the Kenya National Football League in in 1981 and 1982. But it was in the regional East and central Africa cup where they asserted their dominance, winning it in 1980, 82, 83 and 84. In 1982 they beat Rio Tinto of Zimbabwe in the final. In 1983 , they beat Admarc Tigers of Malawi in the final. In 1984 with the tournament being held in Kenya, they beat Gor Mahia 2-1 in an all Kenyan Final

If Leopards were succesful on the regional scene , they could not translate this into success on the continental scene, they lost 4-2 aggregate in the first round of the 1981 Africa Cup winners cup to Al Ahly of Egypt. In 1982 they once again went out in the first round to KCC of Uganda on goal aggreagete. It was the same story again in 1983 when they lost in the first round to Dynamos of Zimbabwe.

John Arieno and Josephat Murila were rock solid at the Heart of the defence.

By 1984 , AFC leopards had strengthened their squad with new arrivals like defender Mickey Weche "T9" , Peter Lichungu , and speed merchants Ben Musuku and Micheal Amwayi, all signed form Motcom of via Kakamega high school. Austrian Gerry Sauerer was now the coach. On the local scene , despirte dominating their arch rivals Gor Mahia, they could not wrest the league title from them as Gor Mahia went on to win the title in a close finish.

Then came the debacle at the 1985 CECAFA cup. AFC had streamrolled their into the finals where they faced arch rivals Gor Mahia. They were widely expected to win easily since half of the Gor Mahia regulars were unavailable due to suspension. Club chairman promised each player who scored a hefty amount of money. It was this that led to their downfall as each player wanted to score and team work was put on the back banner. They went on to loose that match 0-2.

On the continental scene, however , they recorded what is to date the best performance by the club , when they made it to the semi finals of the cup winners cup. On the way to the cup winners cup they beat El Merreikh of Sudan, Mufulira Wanderers of Zambia, and the Mighty Ashante Kotoko of Ghana before loosing to Leventis of Nigeria in the semis.