- AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has opened up on why the club’s kits and merchandise are yet to hit the market for the 2025/26 season.
- According to Ambani, they discovered that the company the club had contracted was not producing authentic merchandise, prompting them to suspend the agreement.
- He added that the issue has since been resolved and that the merchandise will soon hit the shelves for fans to purchase.
AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has opened up on why the club’s kits and merchandise are yet to hit the market for the 2025/26 season, and also shared when fans can expect them to hit the shelves.
Ingwe, one of the country’s biggest clubs with one of the largest fanbases, are yet to unveil their season kits, a delay that has sparked frustration among supporters demanding answers.
However, speaking to NTV’s Sport On on Monday, Ambani, who assumed office last year, shed light on why the launch has been put on hold.
ALSO READ: AFC Leopards squad, stats, fixtures, scores, highlights & latest results
AFC Leopards Chairman Boniface Ambani explains why new season Kits & Merchandise are yet to hit the shelves
According to the former AFC Leopards player, when they stepped into office in June last year, they discovered that the company the club was in contract with was not producing genuine merchandise prompting them to suspend the deal.
“As I have always said, I don’t entertain shortcuts and I don’t deal in half-truths, things have to be done the right way. When I stepped into office, I realized most of the merchandise was fake. It was being produced locally ‘along River Road’ and then supplied to the club.
They were being paid millions while delivering substandard kits to AFC Leopards. This is a massive club – the Manchester United of Kenya and we cannot have our name associated with counterfeit gear.”
ALSO READ: Bonface Ambani elected new AFC Leopards Chairman
Last season (2024/25), Ingwe had a partnership with Singapore-based sportswear company Mafro Sports, who supplied kits for the senior men’s team, the women’s team, and the youth side.
But Ambani confirmed that they had to pause the contract with Mafro, adding that they have now secured a better supplier who is expected to make the new kit available within about a month.
“So when I came in, I had to halt everything and figure out the right path forward. We wrote to our lawyers and instructed them to terminate the contract. We followed the proper procedure, and now the case is closed they have received the official letter. We are expecting stock to arrive soon, likely within the next month.”
ALSO READ: Five-star AFC Leopards batter Shabana FC to get back to winning ways
Back in 2024, AFC Leopards faced a potential legal dispute with Mafro Sports over delayed payments for that season’s kits.
According to reports from SportBoom, Mafro had sent a letter demanding the club clear an outstanding balance of Ksh. 4,126,571 (around USD 32,000), plus warehouse charges totaling Ksh. 644,775 (USD 5,000).
With Ambani now confirming the matter is resolved, Ingwe fans have every reason to smile as they eagerly await the new merchandise while the race for the SportPesa League title continues to heat up.
This season, Ingwe have been impressive, sitting second on the log after 23 matches, just six points behind leaders Gor Mahia, who have 49.
With 11 rounds left, the band is hoping results swing their way as they chase their first league title in over two decades.