AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems has extolled his charges for exhibiting a class act while crushing Kenya Police 3-0 at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
The law enforcers were the bookmakers' favourites heading into the match but Leopards, who have blown hot and cold this season, bellowed out the final laugh.
Aussems said the performance, which fired them to 10th on the log, called for celebration. Leopards are on 31 points after a lackadaisical run that has seen them register seven wins, 10 draws and six losses.
“I'm simply speechless. This is a team we've built from scratch amidst adversity and today they've managed to put smiles on the face of the fans after a series of disappointments,” Aussems said.
Aussems further attributed Leopards' rising fortunes to a formidable bench that can be relied upon to maintain the charm and transform the landscape.
“What has changed is that I now have options to choose from and the bench has some strong players who can come on and change the game," he said.
“How I wish we could take the zest into our subsequent matches. And just like I promised earlier, we are eager to wrap up the season in the top five.”
Police head coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo expressed disappointment after suffering his first loss since he took the reigns in mid-February. The former Gor Mahia assistant coach lashed out at his entire squad for botching up their plan and melting in the face of opposition.
“We simply failed to execute our plan on the pitch and everything seemed to have collapsed,” Omollo said.
“I bet the (international) break didn't serve to help us much and we appeared to have lost the momentum we had going into it.”
Omollo has pledged to bounce back strongly.
“We are most certainly going to address our shortcomings when we meet at the next training session and I believe we'll post better results in our next match,” he said.
The law enforcers have slumped down to 11th spot on the log with 28 points.
In other matches, Eric Mata's brace secured Kariobangi Sharks a 2-1 win over Bidco United at Moi Stadium, Kasarani as Nzoia Sugar and Vihiga United shared spoils in a barren draw at Sudi Stadium, Bungoma.
