After kicking off the season on a torrid note, Kenya’s oldest club AFC Leopards have zealously managed to turn around their fortunes much to the amazement of their adoring fans.
An eight-match unbeaten run aptly attests to the sublime form the felines have been basking in the latest phase of their impressive campaign and things look up as they set the stage to celebrate their 60th anniversary this week.
Ingwe’s most recent feat was a well-deserved 2-0 win over Sugar Belt rivals Nzoia Sugar at Nyayo Stadium over the weekend.
Head coach Thomas Trucha reckons his charges have ultimately found their footing in the cut-throat top-tier competition, fending off immense challenges to keep their remote title aspirations alive.
Ingwe currently place seventh on the KPL log after tucking away 34 points, 16 adrift of runaway leaders and arch-rivals Gor Mahia.
Their scintillating performance has drawn masses of their ardent supporters back to the stadia stands that appeared desolate only a while ago when they were a pale shadow of themselves.
Trucha has attributed their sudden glow to the players’ aptitude to adapt to his coaching philosophy. “Since taking over a few months ago, I’ve set adequate time aside to teach a new philosophy and playing style which have impacted positively on our results,” Trucha remarked.
“I’m a firm believer in work ethics and always stress the importance of working hard both in training and during matches. There is no room for complacency in my team,” Trucha added.
Trucha said he has observed marked improvement in the attitude of his charges who are more determined than before to secure maximum points in their games. What impresses him all the more is the fierce competition for slots in the starting lineup.
“There is more commitment to training and the boys are now alive to the fact that they must work extremely hard to be named in the first eleven where nobody is guaranteed a slot,” Trucha said.
“This heightened level of commitment and competition informs the near-perfect run in our recent fixtures,” he added.
Prior to the Nzoia conquest, Leopards had wreaked havoc on opponents at whim, securing crucial wins over Ulinzi Stars, Muhoroni Youth, City Stars, Kariobangi Sharks, Murang’a Seal and PAC University in the Round of 32 of the FKF Cup.
Since the year began, they have dropped only two points in their barren draw against Kakamega Homeboyz at Bukhungu Stadium.
Although their next league tie is an acid test against an equally high-flying Tusker FC, Leopards head into their fixture high on confidence buoyed up by a string of master-class acts in their recent outings.
