NAIROBI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Struggling Kenya football club AFC Leopards confirmed the appointment of Dutch Hendrik Peter de Jong as the new head coach on Thursday.

Hendrik is expected in the country on Sunday. He will immediately be called upon to lead the side to the inaugural Cecafa Nile Basin Cup continental tournament that kicks off in Sudan next week.

The Dutch tactician will take the place of sacked local James Nandwa who is also the assistant coach of national team Harambee Stars.

"He is experienced, having worked with the Dutch football federation as youth coach and we hope he will steer our team back to our winning ways," club General Secretary, George Aladwa said when confirming the appointment.

Leopards are drawn in Group B alongside Merreikh Al-Fasher, Tanzania's Mbeya City and Elman from Somalia in the Nile Basin tournament open to league runner-ups and domestic cup winners from the 12 Cecafa affiliates as well as invited teams.