Trucha wants derby to be AFC Leopards' turning point

AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha during their FKF PL match against Kariobangi Sharks at Nyayo Stadium on February 4, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

AFC Leopards hosts arch rivals Gor Mahia FC in the biggest game of the Kenyan football calendar this weekend, the Mashemeji Derby. Leopards head coach Thomas Trucha leads his charges into the game as a man under immense pressure, as the club has only won one of its last five matches.

Rivals Gor have just fired their coach, Brazilian Leo Neiva, after losing back to back matches, and with Leopards, nicknamed Ingwe also struggling, there is immense word on the street that Czech tactician Trucha might find himself in a similar situation if he does not get a win in the derby this Sunday.

The side comes into the derby from a draw before the international break, a game they had to rely on a last minute equalizer to pick out a 1-1 result against newly promoted Mara Sugar FC. Pressure was already mounting from that game, with fans expressing their displeasure with the team's results.

They are currently at fifth place with 11 points after eight matches, six behind league leaders KCB.

Trucha's predecessor, Tom Juma, was fired last season after the side failed to beat Gor in the derby, losing 2-0 at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. This past might ring in the tactician's head as he prepares to lead his charges out at the Nyayo National Stadium for Sunday's crucial duel.

This will be his second derby, having been in charge of the second leg last term, which his side also lost 1-0 playing with a man less for a huge spell of the game.

Trucha admits that he is under pressure, but says he loves it, and looks forward to prove his mettle and remain at the club for the remainder of the season.

"Of course there is pressure. This is not a normal game but a derby, and the biggest game in Kenya. There is always pressure for such games to get a good result and make the fans happy. We expect the supporters to come out in their biggest numbers and we know they deserve a good result. We know that they didn't deserve the result from the last game, but we are looking forward to get a good result on Monday," Trucha told Telecomasia.net.

"This (pressure) is part of coaching big clubs. If you coach a big club anywhere in the world and in Africa, you are under pressure every time. For me, it is like a challenge because I like to be in this kind of games. It is a privilege and an honour to be part of a big club and playing with so much pressure. I embrace it and I always want to give my best with my players so that we succeed."