KISUMU, Kenya, Mar 31 – AFC Leopards head coach Thomas Trucha has said winning a trophy on the club’s 60th anniversary celebrations would be special, and has called on the players to step up and give their best in the FKF MozzartBet Cup.
Leopards take on Shabana in what is expected to be a high stakes duel at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, and the coach says they want to ensure they battle to progress to the quarter finals.
With the league already out of reach for Ingwe, the Cup is the club’s sole journey to a trophy and a return to Continental football.
Leopards have endured seven years of trophy drought, as the last title they won was the Cup, then known as the Gotv Shield, in 2017.
“Of course it would be special for us and for the team to win a title to commemorate 60 years of Ingwe. Our ambition is to fight for this title and we have spoken about it as a team. We know it will not be easy but we are ready to give our best,” the tactician told Capital Sport.
Leopards face off with struggling Shabana, just less than a week after they played each other in the culmination of the Ingwe at 60 celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Looking back at the duel which ended 1-1, Trucha expects a tough encounter when the two sides meet in a competitive match.
“I saw how they play and I have watched two other matches when they have played in the league and I know it is not an easy team. They are tough and have very passionate fans so it will not be a walk in the park for us,” the coach said.
He added; “We have to be very compact as a team and play defensively well. We also need to take our chances.”
Leopards were eliminated in the semis last season and this time, Trucha believes they have shown marked improvement and can go on and take the title.
But, he has cautioned his team to take a game at a time, as the Cup can be a slippery slope at times.
Meanwhile in other Cupo matches to be played on Sunday, Division Two side will face off with National Super League outfit Mara Sugar in the early kick off in Kisumu, while at the Police Sacco Stadium, Ulinzi Stars play Kariobangi Sharks.
At the Ukunda Showground in Diani, a local derby pitting SS Assad and Denmak FC, who eliminated Gor Mahia in the first round, will be a mouthwatering clash.
