AFC Leopards head coach Thomas Trucha has spoken of the importance of proving that their recent victory over Mathare United was no fluke as they prepare to face Posta Rangers.
Leopards will face off against Posta Rangers at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, as the FKF Premier League resumes. Trucha appears to have done his homework on Rangers ahead of the clash.
AFC Leopards comments
Speaking about their upcoming opponents, Trucha noted the strong understanding between Posta Rangers’ coach and players, showing respect for the team.
“Posta Rangers is one of the big teams in the FKF-PL, and it seems their coach has finally found an understanding with his players, which was evident in their league opener against Bandari FC. We respect our opponents very much, and we must do our best to show that our win against Mathare United was not a fluke,” he told AFC Leopards media.
Trucha also analyzed the pros and cons of the long international break, noting that it can have mixed effects on teams.
“When your team has a good record with positive results, the break can have a negative impact, but if you’re on a bad run, it gives you time as a coach to get your players back on the winning track,” he explained.
“We had three different phases during this break. First, we had to recover from the rigorous pre-season, then we focused on fitness to recharge our batteries, and finally, we prepared for our next league match. During this time, we played three friendly matches to give all our players game time and test different combinations,” Trucha said.
AFC Leopards internationals
When asked about the increase in AFC Leopards players called up to the national team, Trucha highlighted the positives while acknowledging potential risks.
“It’s always a reward for the players’ hard work during the season to be called up to represent their country. It’s also feedback for us coaches that we are pushing our players to reach national team quality. We are a big club, and we must be prepared to have players in the national team. On the other hand, having players in the national team also comes with the risk of injuries,” he added.
AFC Leopards currently lead the FKF Premier League table after their 4-0 win over Mathare United.
