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AFC Leopards’ new chapter under Tomas Trucha did not go as planned given that they lost their first Football Kenya Federation Premier League match under the new management to Bandari.

Trucha was at the Den in 2020 for a short stint before he left and returned when Tom Juma was sacked following a series of poor results in the Premier League.

Juma, who had been a long-time member of the technical bench before he was elevated when Patrick Aussems tendered his resignation, left Ingwe in the relegation zone. Trucha’s appointment breathed a sigh of relief and brought optimism to the disgruntled fan base, but his first game was a 1-0 defeat to the Dockers.

Match preview

Ingwe will be at Sudi Stadium to face Nzoia Sugar, who have also had a poor start to the season. The 1998 Premier League winners are 17th, with just four points from seven games.

One win, two draws, and four losses is a poor performance by AFC Leopards by all standards. And this kind of run and current position translate into a more tense start for Trucha and more pressure on players.

AFC Leopards have, so far, failed to work as a well-knit unit; at the back, they have conceded seven goals, and the striking department has managed just three goals.

On the other hand, the Sugar Millers are also not doing well, sitting just a point and a place above Ingwe, and this match can be described as a duel for Premier League strugglers.

Last season, Nzoia Sugar produced one of their best performances in a campaign, but the same cannot be said, up to this point, about the Bungoma-based outfit.

But their struggle can rightfully be linked with the exit of key players who joined Tusker; Gor Mahia and others could play against them on Sunday since they are at the Den. Salim Babu, the tactician behind their run last season, left to join Kenya Police.

Team news

AFC Leopards are going to miss Saad Musa, who underwent surgery following an injury to his hand.

Predicted starting XIs

Nzoia Sugar probable XI: Bernard Onunga, Elisha Wekesa, Nasoor Shikokoti, Elvis Ronack, Obed Khakina, Joseph Wafula, Victor Haki, Victor Maliachi

AFC Leopards probable XI: Humphrey Katasi, Aziz Okaka, Washington Munene, Kayce Odhiambo, Randy Bakari, Musa Oundo, Cliff Nyakeya, Moses Lukhumwa, Brian Yakhama, Victor Otieno, Jaffery Owiti