AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha has called on the club management to quickly find a clinical striker in the mid-season transfer window to help solve their scoring woes.
AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has stressed the need for the club to quickly find a new striker when the mid-season transfer window opens.
Leopards have been toothless in front of goal this season, contributing to their poor run of form, as they have managed to score just seven goals from 11 matches, with only Muhoroni Youth (four) and Kariobangi Sharks (six) managing fewer.
Their struggles in attack were evident again on Saturday when they created a number of good chances against Posta Rangers but fluffed their lines before the Mailmen struck later in the second half to cancel out Kayci Odhiambo’s first-minute goal for a share of the spoils.
08:50 - 12.11.2023
FOOTBALL AFC Leopards coach insists charges will need more time to adapt to his methods following Posta draw
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha has warned fans against expecting instant results as he feels his side will need time after experiencing many changes before and during this season
It is something that has left Trucha worried and he feels there are no two ways about it other than finding a clinical striker to bury the chances his team are creating.
“At least in the last two, three games we have been creating chances because before, we were not creating so it is a good sign,” said Trucha, while picking positives from his team’s recent run.
“I believe the boys have started to adapt to my style of football and I hope the defence will be more happy today (Saturday), not like last time [against City Stars when they lost 3-2] so we have given some entertainment and in time, we will start to collect more.
10:15 - 12.11.2023
FKFPL Murang’a Seal boss Gabriel Njoroge: It is not news that Gor Mahia fans always cause chaos
The Murang’a Seal coach has described Gor Mahia as a “yesteryear club” whose fans behaved in a very inappropriate manner by attacking his “young” charges.
“We need to start looking in the market for somebody who can score the goals more than our players but I trust them in every training and I believe we will start scoring. The striker could be big or small but we just need a goal scorer.”
Trucha also appeared to ask for better wingers, saying he prefers to play with quick and direct widemen, but he has so far not been able to produce results from those he found at the club.
“My football is to control the game, to use the wings. Three years ago, I had [Caleb] Olilo, [Jafari] Owiti, who is still here, so I like to play on the wings but now, opponents are defending against our wingers so we need to have good wingers,” added Trucha.
09:30 - 11.11.2023
FOOTBALL Contrasting fortunes of the promoted teams: Why Shabana are sinking while Murang’a Seal are flying
Shabana were promoted to the FKFPL as NSL champions while Murang’a Seal come in as runners-up, but why is one team third on the table while the other one is second from bottom?
“Generally, to attack, to give the fans entertainment, to enjoy our game and score the goals.”
Scoring was a problem for Leopards even last season when they finished seventh after managing 32, only better than relegated Mathare United (26), Vihiga United (28), and Muhoroni (22) who escaped the axe via the playoff.
It is rearing its ugly head again this season as out of the seven goals they have scored, four have been penalties.
19:38 - 11.11.2023
FKFPL Chaos soil Gor Mahia's clash with Murang’a Seal as police lob teargas to disperse rowdy fans [VIDEO]
Running battles were witnessed inside Kasarani Stadium as fans clashed with security personnel following Gor Mahia’s draw with Murang’a Seal in an FKF Premier League match.
Victor Omune was their highest scorer last term with eight goals followed by Cliff Nyakeya and Ojo Olaniyi, who had seven apiece. Omune, who recently returned from injury missed a couple of one-on-ones on Saturday, while Nyakeya, currently out injured, has scored one of their four penalties.
Nigerian Olaniyi left the club in the off-season.
Trucha’s predecessor Juma preferred an attack of Brian Yakhama, Cliffton Miheso, and Victor Otieno and the Czech coach has largely used the same attack.
19:04 - 11.11.2023
FOOTBALL Referees narrowly escape wrath of fans after AFC Leopards' stalemate with Posta Rangers
Match officials who officiated AFC Leopards’ FKFPL clash against Posta Rangers needed police escort to leave the pitch after supporters directed their anger at them over a number of calls
Yakhama is Leopards leading scorer with four goals (three from the penalty spot) while Otieno has one as well as Saturday’s scorer Odhiambo, a central defender.
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