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Tomas Trucha has issued an apology to AFC Leopards fans following their defeat to Gor Mahia.
AFC Leopards head coach, Tomas Trucha, has extended a heartfelt apology to the club's fans following their disappointing 1-0 defeat to rivals Gor Mahia in a highly-charged derby at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite having a numerical advantage for the majority of the match after Gor Mahia goalkeeper Kevin Omondi was controversially sent off for a foul on Victor Omune, AFC Leopards failed to capitalize on their opportunity. The defeat sees Gor Mahia extend their lead at the top of the table, leaving AFC Leopards languishing in eighth place.
Speaking after the match, Trucha expressed his mixed feelings about the result, acknowledging the missed opportunity to secure vital points. “Mixed feelings. This was the chance to get three points, minimum one, but considering the red card in the first half and playing 55 minutes with 10 men, we should have scored with our quality,” said Trucha.
Trucha went on to apologize to the fans who turned up in large numbers to support the team. He recognized the positive atmosphere created by the fan base but admitted the pain of not being able to convert chances and produce accurate crosses.
The coach reflected on the pivotal moments of the match, emphasizing the impact of the red card on the game's dynamics. “The game was 50/50 in the first half. Austin had a chance that hit the post. We created our own chances, including Miheso’s header, but the red card changed the game,” Trucha explained.
Despite the setback, Trucha believed his team had the quality to score more goals, urging them to be more ambitious and hungry for victory. “We should have been more hungry. Even when they got reduced to nine players plus the goalkeeper, we should have pushed forward more,” he added.
Trucha highlighted the need for better risk-taking and positioning when chasing a game. “When you are losing 1-0, you need to take the risk, the risk is having four or five players in the box. We should have made better crosses and had better positioning,” he said.
In conclusion, Trucha praised his players for their effort and resilience but acknowledged the disappointment in the dressing room. “Everyone put the effort in, and in the dressing room, they almost cried so they know we had the chance but I told them, football is like that,” Trucha concluded.
The defeat serves as a wake-up call for AFC Leopards, who will need to regroup and work on their finishing and game strategy to bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches.
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