- In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Odhiambo took issue with the conduct of a section of Leopards fans whose behaviour he termed as immature.
Image: HANDOUT
Kakamega Homeboyz head coach Patrick Odhiambo has faulted AFC Leopards fans for making callous remarks about goalkeeper Levis Opiyo who committed a costly howler against arch-rivals Gor Mahia FC.
Enraged Ingwe fans turned their guns on the besieged custodian in a ruthless fashion, accusing him of 'intentionally' conceding a silly goal that cost them the Mashemeji derby bragging rights.
Opiyo came under heavy artillery as disgruntled AFC Leopards supporters thronged the social media to vent their displeasure with a blunder he committed during their enthralling encounter against Gor at Nyayo stadium on Sunday.
In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Odhiambo took issue with the conduct of a section of Leopards fans whose behaviour he termed as immature.
"I don't support what they are doing at all. You cannot ask the coaches to bench a player because of a blunder he committed in a match when it is obvious he performed well for the better part of the game," Odhiambo stated.
Odhiambo also said it was wrong for Leopards fans to utter words bordering on tribalism.
A section of Ingwe fans claimed that Opiyo failed to show commitment in the match because he was playing against a side that comprised players mainly from his ethnic community.
"I've heard some of them make very unfortunate remarks. It is wrong to suggest that all AFC Leopards should be from the Luhya community," Odhiambo remarked.
"Homeboyz is based in Kakamega but we have players from various communities. That's the kind of patriotism we should advocate for. We have even hired players from as far as Uganda and we don't blame them for our losses," he added.
Odhiambo urged Leopards fans to desist from setting a dangerous trend that might jeopardize the chances of Kenyan players and tacticians securing jobs abroad.
"I coached in Tanzania for a considerable number of years and no one ever kicked up a fuss about my nationality. We just need to grow up," Odhiambo stated.