Trucha warns AFC Leopards’ fans against insults, attacks on players

AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has warned the fans against threats, negativity, and insults amid the team’s poor start into the 2023/24 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season.

The match against Bandari, in which AFC Leopards conceded a 1-0 loss on Sunday, October 22, was the first one that Trucha oversaw since his return to the club. The defeat meant that Ingwe’s winless run continued, and fans remained unsatisfied with the performance.

Trucha’s call

Trucha, who was the club’s coach in 2020, returned to take over when Tom Juma was shown the door, and he believes he can help end the poor run.

“I came back to AFC because it’s time to help, and I know we will push our players to win the games, but for now, we should all stay together and support each other.

“To see some fans attacking their own players verbally and almost getting physical even though they gave their best is hurtful. All this happened even before the match.

“Negativity, threats, attacks, doubts, and insults will never help our Ingwe family come back to its glory days,” Trucha said in a statement posted on the club’s portal.

While the tactician acknowledges the fans’ core function; support, he wants the players to be given the necessary backup as they fight to end the winless run.

“Give players love and support like you are giving to your beloved children, as you all know the bad times they have gone through.

“I saw players working hard all week to be part of a team for the Mombasa trip. All the players are trying their best to absorb all the new information and instructions in the shortest time possible.

“Every player used in the Bandari match fought for the team, and players who sat on the bench gave full support,” he added.

Trucha’s assessment

The tactician attributed the current poor run to the happenings that occurred before the season began and said that he wants the fans to play their role in supporting the team as the players themselves fight to get positive results.

“We all know what happened before the start of the season. Many players were signed at the last moment, the team was almost new, the previous coach left, and many more changes happened. Now we need to support each other and help the club and players when it’s most needed.

“Let’s rally behind the team with love; better days are coming,” he concluded.