If AFC Leopards are not careful enough, they may end up in the jaws of relegation, head coach Patrick Aussems has warned.
Leopards emerged from Saturday's Mashemeji derby snub at Thika Stadium to crush 2-1 at the hands of Kenyan Premier League returnees Nairobi City Stars at Ruaraka Grounds on Tuesday.
Ezekiel Odera came on the end of Bolton Omwenga's enticing cross to put City Stars ahead in the 34th minute before Washington Munene restored parity in the 63rd from a set-piece. Nicholas Kipkurui then bagged all three points for City with a 68th-minute strike.
“We are disappointed. When the team is losing, you are always disappointed. Every other week we produce good football but we miss efficiency," said Aussems.
“I'm frustrated that in all the games we end up conceding because of lack of concentration and individual mistakes. To be honest with you, we are now working on next season and that's why I'm experimenting with new things."
Aussems says the 13-time Premier League champions have eyes firmly trained on the next season given there is literally nothing left for them to fight for. With this in mind, he has already rolled out a plan for the new season.
“In the last two or three matches, you must have seen some players who have not been in the lineup before," he said.
“I'm definitely going to be with the club come next season despite a number of offers I have received in the last 48 hours. I would like to help Leopards become one of the biggest clubs in Africa the way I did with Simba SC in Tanzania.”
“The league will be over in the next three weeks. The new season will start on September 25 and that means we'll not have a lot of time to prepare. From tomorrow (Wednesday) we will be on duty to prepare for the next season.”
Aussems has called on the club's administration to iron out any pending issues likely to jolt the club's smooth operations.
“There are a lot of things the board needs to fix. We had some people who came to the club with offers to help.”
City Stars tactician John Amboko said registering positive results throughout the season had boosted the players' self-esteem.
“We had a problem coordinating in the first half given we were losing possession so frequently. But at the end of the day what matters is that we managed all three points."
“When the season kicked off we knew we would struggle against the more established team but then we came to a point we started winning matches which made us start believing in ourselves,” said Amboko.
Following the outcome, Leopards have slumped further down the standings at seventh with4i points while City have dislodged Kariobangi Sharks from third where they sit pretty with 44 points.
In other matches, Posta Rangers beat Vihiga United 2-1 while Wazito and Bidco United played out to a one-all draw at Thika Stadium.
