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The AFC Leopards hierachy will be hoping Trucha does not walk out on the team again like he did in December 2020, where he quit his post a month into the job after a few members had allegedly resorted to threats towards the coach and his agent.
Amid growing pressure from fans following a winless streak, AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has stood firmly behind head coach Tomas Trucha, insisting that the team’s recent struggles do not fall on the coach’s shoulders.
Despite Leopards’ recent 2-0 defeat to Ulinzi Stars, extending their winless run to three games, Shikanda is adamant that Trucha deserves more time.
He argues that the coach has been instrumental in improving the team’s style of play, even if the results have not yet materialized.
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05:20 - 05.11.2024
Opinion: It is a shame hooliganism in Kenyan football still exists in 2024
There were a few cases of hooliganism last weekend after Gor Mahia drew with Murang'a Seal and AFC Leopards were humbled by Ulinzi Stars, with a section of fans attacking coaches at full time.
“If you look at the two matches, we played well, and, unfortunately, we did not score,” Shikanda explained as quoted on Mozzart Sport.
“It’s unfair to blame the coach if the strikers cannot score. He has done a great job with the team, and he needs time to achieve his target."
This defense of Trucha comes as some fans have grown frustrated, with a few even verbally attacking the coach after the recent loss at Kinoru Stadium. But Shikanda was quick to caution fans, drawing attention to past incidents where fan pressure disrupted the club’s plans, such as last season’s firing of former head coach Tom Juma.
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05:15 - 04.11.2024
Protect our game: Leo Neiva, Tomas Trucha and the urgent call to end fan violence in football
Over the weekend, fan frustrations boiled over into chaotic scenes at Kenyan football matches, sparking urgent calls for respectful sportsmanship.
Juma’s dismissal, which came early in the season after a rocky start, later led to a Ksh 5 million court-ordered compensation after it was ruled an unfair termination.
Shikanda warned that aggressive fan behavior will not be tolerated this time. “It is the same fans who attacked Tom Juma and never gave him a chance to settle down that are trying to do the same with Trucha, but we shall not accept it. We will identify them and take legal action against them,” he asserted.
In addition to the internal club challenges, the fan unrest has reportedly caused friction with the team’s sponsors, who were unhappy with the scenes following the Ulinzi Stars match. The incident at Kinoru Stadium, where fans damaged stadium property, could also lead to a fine from Sports Kenya, further adding to the club’s troubles.
Leopards will be hoping Trucha does not walk out on the team again like he did in December 2020, where he quit his post a month into the job after a few members had allegedly resorted to threats towards the coach and his agent.
Before the attack, frustrated fans had already issued a letter to Trucha, giving him an ultimatum to turn things around in the next match or face possible removal.
The letter reads, in part, “We have continuously monitored your performance, and it has occurred to us that the ratings are not satisfactory and have consistently failed to meet the team’s expectations.”
However, Shikanda remains undeterred by the pressure and is committed to supporting Trucha in his efforts to steer AFC Leopards in the right direction.
His stance signals a shift towards stability at the club, hoping to avoid the repeated managerial disruptions that have plagued their past seasons.
With Shikanda's backing, Trucha will have the opportunity to focus on improving the team's performance without the immediate threat of dismissal, aiming to turn the season around for the loyal "Ingwe" supporters.
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