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AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha has explained why he feels his team is still not ready to be considered title contenders even as he hopes to profit from rivals’ slip ups.
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha is calling on the club’s supporters to manage their expectations in regards to their desire for a league title.
Leopards have not won the Kenyan league title since 1998 and supporters have been yearning for a change in fortunes for over two decades.
However, Trucha says while there is a chance for a title challenge, he feels his team is still not ready unless a lot of things changes within the club.
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17:11 - 20.11.2024
‘There is pressure’ - AFC Leopards coach admits feeling Mashemeji derby heat, laments challenging conditions
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha has admitted feeling the pressure ahead of this weekend’s Mashemeji derby against Gor Mahia while lamenting the challenges his team is facing.
“There are obviously a lot of challenges and issues around a football team. But as a coach, you have to try your best and do what is within your abilities on the pitch with the players. I believe everybody in the club must do their job and perform their roles with professionalism,” Trucha told TelecomAsiaSport.
“I remember at the start of the season, I said that the club is not yet ready to claim the title. The team is competitive but we have to work more together. We have some challenges we need to sort out before we can win the title.”
However, even as he casts doubts over their title credentials, Trucha is looking at the glass half-full and not half-empty, given what has been witnessed in the FKF Premier League so far.
“But, we will still battle for the title. We have seen many teams are limping so far in the season and we have to push,” added Trucha, whose team face Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji derby next.
“We are six points behind KCB and nothing is over yet because the season has just started. This game [Mashemeji derby] can be a very important step to come back and show that we can fight for the title.”
Trucha is, however, grateful that Ingwe fans have stuck with the team through the years and hopes his team can end their poor run of form and chase the early season pace setters.
Ingwe are fifth on the table on 11 points, six behind leaders KCB, but the narrative would have been different had they not failed to win their last four matches.
Leopards have picked up just two points from a possible 12, after two draws and as many defeats over that period, but the tactician is blaming it on mistakes which he hopes his team can cut out after the international break.
“If you look at those games, we have been conceding from individual mistakes. We have tried to cut down on those mistakes especially defensively because at the backline, one simple mistake will cost you the three points like we saw in the last game against Mara,” he added.
![[VIDEO] AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha escapes wrath of angry fans after Ulinzi Stars loss](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/03112024/e18b8bcd-3659-4f97-ae2f-53f48f19137c.jpg?operations=fit(:350))
21:00 - 03.11.2024
[VIDEO] AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha escapes wrath of angry fans after Ulinzi Stars loss
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha was in the receiving end after angry supporters accosted him following Ingwe’s loss to Ulinzi Stars in Meru on Sunday.
“We have also worked on improving our finishing because in most of the games, we have been getting many chances but don’t finish them. In the derby, you will not get that many chances and we want to ensure that the few we get count for goals.”
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