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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.
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha admits he is feeling the pressure following his team’s recent poor run of form as they look forward to this weekend’s Mashemeji derby.
Leopards are set to host bitter rivals Gor Mahia on Sunday and both teams head into the match after failing to win any of their last four games, with K’Ogalo responding by sacking coach Leonardo Neiva.
Trucha is similarly on shaky ground after fans already voiced their displeasure over his tenure and he escaped their wrath when his team lost 2-0 away to Ulinzi Stars early this month.
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16:39 - 20.11.2024
AFC Leopards legend makes plea for Ingwe & Gor Mahia ahead of Mashemeji derby
AFC Leopards legend Peter Lichungu is calling for Ingwe and Gor Mahia to be provided a condusive environment to thrive so that Kenyan football can reap more.
Heading into their biggest match of the season, Leopards fans will not accept another negative result and the Czech coach agrees he is facing pressure but remains confident of a turnaround.
“Of course there is pressure,” Trucha, whose team drew 1-1 with Mara Sugar before the international break, told TelecomAsiaSport.
“This is not a normal game but a derby, and the biggest game in Kenya. There is always pressure for such games to get a good result and make the fans happy. We expect the supporters to come out in their biggest numbers and we know they deserve a good result. We know that they didn’t deserve the result from the last game, but we are looking forward to get a good result.
“This (pressure) is part of coaching big clubs. If you coach a big club anywhere in the world and in Africa, you are under pressure every time. For me, it is like a challenge because I like to be in this kind of games. It is a privilege and an honour to be part of a big club and playing with so much pressure. I embrace it and I always want to give my best with my players so that we succeed.”
Trucha had his first taste of the Mashemeji derby in April when Gor Mahia secured a 1-0 win, after a howler from goalkeeper Levis Opiyo, and heading into his second one, he is a little worried by the circumstances surrounding his team.
“It has been really challenging preparing for the derby because of injuries, sickness and suspensions so we have not had our full squad this week in training. These are not ideal conditions but we have to be ready for this big game,” he added.
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12:13 - 19.11.2024
Mashemeji derby: Gor Mahia’s Philemon Otieno & Gad Mathews fire warning to AFC Leopards
Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno and goalkeeper Gad Mathews want to bounce back to winning ways against AFC Leopards as Ingwe host K’Oglao in the Mashemeji derby on Sunday.
“We have to find a formation and a starting line-up that is the best from what we have available and which can give us a good game and a good result. We know it will be a very tough game, but we also equally know the expectation from our fans for a victory and we have to work hard to give them what they deserve.”
Leopards lost home and away to Gor Mahia last season to extend their poor record over their bitter rivals, having won only once against the record Kenyan champions in their last 10 meetings.
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