AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems has vowed to crash Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
The felines head into the encounter high on confidence after mauling arch-rivals Gor Mahia in a riveting Mashemeji derby clash at Nyayo Stadium over the weekend.
Aussems reckons their first landmark win over their nemesis in seven years has given his charges the incentive they desperately need ahead of their crunch Cup tie.
"Seven years without a win is already a memory; the win is also a memory, and we now need to think about Saturday's game against the Homeboyz," Aussems stated.
"The match gave us a lot of insights into our current form. I do not doubt that we are ready for our opponents now based on our performance at Nyayo last Sunday," Aussems said.
The Belgian gaffer said he is delighted by the return of two of his key defenders Lewis Bandi and Kaycy Odhiambo who exhibited signs of full recovery in their great form during the derby.
"We had some concerns about the strength and stability of our defence in their absence. I believe both of them are now fully fit for the tie based on how I saw them play on Sunday," Aussems said.
"I've been intentionally rotating players and you must have observed that I used different players and a different organisation in our last two matches. That's because I'm keen on ensuring that all my 19 players are fit for the semis," Aussems said.
Aussems is, however, alive to the fact that they are facing a side that proved to be a difficult nut to crack in their last Kenyan Premier League tie that was marred by crowd trouble.
"We've met them several times before and we know they are currently in good form. But that's the least of my concerns now. I don't usually spend my valuable time worrying about the opponent and how they are preparing. My focus is on how we will approach the match," Aussems said.
The two sides will lock horns in one of the abrasive semis involving four Kenyan Premier League behemoths at the same venue.
Leopards stormed the semis after thumping Mombasa-based KPL rivals Bandari 3-0 at Nyayo Stadium. On the other hand, Homeboyz booked a semifinal berth after eliminating defending cup champions Gor Mahia.
The other thriller pits Ruaraka-based brewers Tusker against soldiers Ulinzi Stars in the early kick-off set for 1 pm.
Ulinzi Stars' mercurial forward Boniface Muchiri has said he is not experiencing sleepless nights ahead of the encounter with his former side.
"I was with Tusker for four years and I believe they know me inside out. That notwithstanding, I'm determined to have a good match on Saturday and I know we will post some good results," Muchiri said.
