AFC Leopards assistant coach Tom Juma has extolled his charges for their brilliant start to the 2021/2022 Kenyan Premier League season following their surprise 1-0 win over champions Tusker at Thika Stadium on Sunday.
The felines shook off their underdogs' tag to pull off the shock outcome despite fielding a second-string squad partly consisting of newly recruited cubs who graduated from the academy side a fortnight ago.
South Sudan midfielder Saad Musa’s 19th-minute screamer was all the 13-time Kenyan champions needed to set out on a fresh title hunt after a 20-year drought.
“I thank God for the outcome and commend the players for putting up a good fight in the match. We have kicked off the season with maximum points. What's more, we beat the defending champions,” said a visibly elated Juma.
“We psyched up the players before the match and made them believe they could do it. We look to rectify the weak areas we observed in today's encounter."
Juma praised the passion and effort of the youngsters on their first senior outing for the club.
“We will certainly continue to promote players from our youth team. As you saw, they are eager to shine in the senior team's jersey and I believe that will be enough motivation for them to deliver positive results in our subsequent matches,” the former Ingwe midfielder said.
He also urged fans to come together and help them out of the financial mess that threatens to sink the 57-year old club.
On the other hand, Tusker gaffer Robert Matano attributed their shock loss to an injury-plagued squad, saying the situation limited his options.
He said he had to cobble up a slapdash striking force after team medics ruled out all his dependable forwards.
“Injuries have eaten deeply into our form. Our entire midfield is down with a wide range of injuries. You must have noted we fielded both Boniface Muchiri and Shami Mwinyi as strikers when they should preferably be playing in the midfield,” Matano said.
“The only solution is for the injured to recover. Those who got a chance to play today must also learn from their mistakes. They nned to realise we are now depending on them and not those on the injury list."
Nonetheless, the one-time former AFC Leopards tactician believes they will bounce back strongly.
Elsewhere, Kenya Police encountered a baptism of fire in their maiden top-flight battle after crashing 1-0 to Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium.
Ulinzi Stars thrashed Nzoia Sugar 3-1 at ASK Grounds, Nakuru while Sofapaka pipped Nairobi City Stars 3-1 at Wundanyi.
