AFC Leopards, Kenya’s second most successful club, are reportedly keen to sign Rwandan Andre Casa Mbungo as their new head coach following the departure of Rodolfo Zapata last week. Argentinian Zapata stepped down last Friday after a run of defeats in Kenya Premier League. According to reports in Kenyan media, Kiyovu SC tactician Casa Mbungo has emerged as one of the options to take over as coach at AFC Leopards. The other prospects are Dennis Kitambi, a former AFC Leopards head coach, as well as Melis Medo. The 13-time Kenyan champions are currently searching for a coach to replace Zapata, who quit in a huff last Friday and former AS Kigali and Police FC coach is said to be among the frontrunners for the job. The speculation comes just two weeks before the 2018-19 Azam Rwanda Premier League season kicks off, on October 19. Last season, he guided the green and white outfit to a fifth spot finish from the 15th position they had finished in the previous season. Kiyovu topped the league standings for the better part of the 2017/2018 league season. AFC Leopards’ strong pursuit for the Rwandan coach is believed to be fueled by the fact that he is the former coach of Jacques Tuyisenge, at Police, and Burundian Francis Mustapha at Kiyovu. The two strikers helped Leopards’ local rivals Gor Mahia romp to a record-extending 17th league title in August. Casa Mbungo is also a two-time Peace Cup winner, first with AS Kigali in 2013, and then with Police FC in 2015. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
