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AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha is under pressure to deliver positive results following recent unrest from fans but can they silence highly-flying Mara Sugar?
AFC Leopards will go in search of some respite when they host newly-promoted Mara Sugar in an FKF Premier League match at the Dandora Stadium on Sunday.
Leopards have been rocked by fan unrest in the last one week, putting coach Tomas Trucha under immense pressure, with his side going three matches without victory.
Trucha needed security to leave the pitch following last Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Ulinzi Stars in Meru, as angry fans bayed for his blood, the result coming after a 1-0 defeat away to Murang’a Seal.
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18:10 - 05.11.2024
AFC Leopards threaten stern action against culprits involved in attack on Tomas Trucha at Kinoru Stadium
Ingwe have vowed strict action against fans involved in the recent attack on coach Tomas Trucha after their Ulinzi loss.
Leopards fans had already given the Czech coach an ultimatum following his team’s 1-1 draw against Kariobangi Sharks but it did not change things as they followed it up with back-to-back defeats.
Their poor run of form has seen them slip from second to fifth position on the table on 10 points from seven games, seven behind leaders KCB and four adrift of Sunday’s opponents.
Trucha and his players therefore head into the match against Mara Sugar under pressure to deliver and another negative result will likely witness more chaos from fans.
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14:13 - 05.11.2024
AFC Leopards chairman backs Tomas Trucha amid growing concerns from fans
The AFC Leopards hierachy will be hoping Trucha does not walk out on the team again like he did in December 2020, where he quit his post a month into the job after a few members had allegedly resorted to threats towards the coach and his agent.
Leopards, however, face a Mara team that are punching above their weight as they sit pretty in second position at the expense of many Premier League regulars, having accumulated 14 points from seven matches.
Mara have lost just one of their league games since getting promoted but that was on September 15 when they went down 1-0 to Bandari. Since then, they have been on the up and face Leopards on the back of a five-game unbeaten run that has seen them win three while drawing two over that period.
That spells trouble for Leopards, who appear out of sorts, having suffered losses to Posta Rangers, Murang’a and Ulinzi, while drawing with Kariobangi Sharks.
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05:20 - 05.11.2024
Opinion: It is a shame hooliganism in Kenyan football still exists in 2024
There were a few cases of hooliganism last weekend after Gor Mahia drew with Murang'a Seal and AFC Leopards were humbled by Ulinzi Stars, with a section of fans attacking coaches at full time.
Leopards’ loss to Ulinzi was partly blamed on the absence of some of their key players, with last season’s Player of the Year Victor Omune, defender Kennedy Owino among three stars handed a two-week suspension for featuring in an unsanctioned match while new signing Sydney Lokale did not play for unclear reasons.
Trucha will still not be with Omune and Owino as they serve their final week of suspension but eyes will be on how he juggles his pack in search of victory.
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