AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has warned the fans against threats, negativity, and insults amid the team’s poor start into the 2023-24 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League season.
Taking charge of Ingwe for the first time since replacing Tom Juma, the 52-year-old Trucha watched helplessly as the team succumbed to a 1-0 defeat, their third of the season. The defeat left Ingwe languishing in position 17 on the 18-team table and they are yet to win any match.
After the game at Mbaraki Sports Club, Ingwe fans besieged the team bus asking for answers from the players and officials. Trucha, who was the club’s coach in 2020 but went away after only a month, believes with fans’ support, he has the capacity to turn around the club’s dwindling fortunes for the better.
“I came back to AFC because it’s time to help, and I know we will push our players to win the games, but for now, we should all stay together and support each other,” said Trucha in a statement on AFC social media pages, adding: “Negativity, threats, attacks, doubts, and insults will never help our Ingwe family come back to its glory days. Let’s rally behind the team with love; better days are coming.”
Trucha further explained the players had shown great character since he took charge of the team insisting all those who were involved in the defeat against the Dockers were true fighters and wondered why Ingwe fans were fighting their own players.
“Give players love and support like you are giving to your beloved children, as you all know the bad times they have gone through. I saw players working hard all week to be part of a team for the Mombasa trip,” said Trucha, adding: “All the players are trying their best to absorb all the new information and instructions in the shortest time possible. Every player used in the Bandari match fought for the team, and players who sat on the bench gave full support.
“To see some fans attacking their own players verbally and almost getting physical even though they gave their best is hurtful. All this happened even before the match. We all know what happened before the start of the season.”
He concluded: “Many players were signed at the last moment, the team is almost new, the previous coach left, and many more changes happened. Now we need to support each other and help the club and players when it’s most needed.”
Ingwe will next face Nzoia Sugar at Sudi Stadium on Sunday.