AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has made a damning revelation that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League outfit missed out on targets shortlisted for signing in readiness for the new 2024/25 season set to kick off on August 24.

The 52-year-old Trucha will take charge of Ingwe for the second season, having returned to the Den on October 13, 2023, to be precise, at the halfway stage of last season, and managed to guide the team to a fifth-place finish in the 18-team table.

The Czech tactician further took Ingwe to the semi-finals of the domestic Mozzart Bet FKF Cup where they lost 1-0 to eventual winners Kenya Police.

With the league one week away from kick-off, Trucha admitted the once mighty club are running out of time to unveil new signings, and openly said most of his targets had already snubbed the team.

Not signed for the den

“Last season, I watched many matches in Kenya Premier League and National Super League (NSL) and from this scouting, we submitted to AFC’s top management the list of players which we wanted to be sign but most of them did not come,” Trucha told SportsBoom.com when asked whether he was satisfied with transfer activities at the Den.

Queried further to expound why the targets had not been signed, Trucha said: “It’s not me to answer the question why it did not happen.”

However, Trucha remained confident despite time running out, Ingwe will still get replacements for the targets.

“Obviously with time running out. we are still looking for other options to strengthen the team,” added Trucha.

When reached for a comment, a top AFC official, who did not want to be named, declined to give SportsBoom.com the list of new signings only saying the process will be made official in due course.

“That can’t be disclosed at the moment since it hasn’t been made official,” said the source, adding: “We don’t have any official communique on the new arrivals and those leaving the club.”

No shortcuts

Trucha outlined several reasons why AFC Leopards’ dream to end their 26-year wait trophy drought may not be realised in the new campaign.

In a recent interview, AFC President Dan Shikanda said the time for the club to end their almost decade wait to win the Premier League title is now, and it will happen in the new 2024/25 season.

“The new season will belong to AFC Leopards, we will win the league, we want to make it clear, and this message must reach out to our rivals including Gor Mahia, mark this day in your calendar, and it is good to say it so that teams in the league be aware of our intentions,” Shikanda said as quoted by SportsBoom.com.

“Of course, it will not be easy, I can predict at least six teams fighting for the title but at the end of the day, AFC Leopards will come up tops, we will be crowned champions. We will be the last team standing, it will be our season.”

Shikanda added: “You can go ask my coach Tomas (Trucha), he is here and will tell you the same thing, it is not going to be business as usual, we will fight for the title, we will do everything to win it for the fans, we all know it has been a long wait and time to deliver the success is now, I don’t see anything that will stand on our way.”