AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has discussed the team’s 95th FKF Premier League Mashemeji derby against rivals Gor Mahia at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
With eight matches remaining to conclude the season, Ingwe are placed eighth on the 18-team table with 38 points, 16 fewer than champions Gor Mahia, who are on top with 54 and cruising to a record 21st league title in their history.
With Kenya Police breathing behind K’Ogalo’s back in second position, nine points behind the leaders, the only favour Ingwe can do is beat Gor Mahia and derail their quest to clinch back-to-back titles, having beaten Tusker to the same on the final day of the campaign last season.
Ingwe coach Tomas Trucha, who will be taking charge of his first derby since joining the Den, is looking forward to the fixture but insisted derbies have no favourite.
“Everybody is prepared; the mood in the camp is good which is a motivation by itself for this game. It is a big game not only in Kenya but also in Africa. For me this is the first time I oversee the team in the Mashemeji derby, I am looking forward to it and I will enjoy it,” the Belgian told reporters ahead of the game.
Trucha added: “We take the match as a challenge because we will be facing the league champions who are currently the league leaders. For us, it’s a challenge to succeed and prepare something special for them. Remember derbies never have favourites, there’s no underdog. It’s always a fight to know which team comes out the best so both teams will come to the match ready to give it all.”
Out of the 94 derbies played, Gor Mahia enjoy the biggest share of success as they have registered the most wins in 32, scored 91 goals have the longest unbeaten streak of 13 matches and six consecutive wins. In the first-round meeting, it was Gor Mahia, who carried the day, defeating Ingwe 2-0 at Kasarani Stadium.
Last season, the two giants settled for a 0-0 draw in the first-round clash but Ingwe turned on the screw to win the second meeting 2-1 while in the previous campaign after Gor Mahia won 1-0 in the first meeting, the reverse fixture ended in a 0-0 draw.
Before the derby on Sunday, six matches will be played on (Saturday) with Shabana seeking to make it three wins out of three when they host Kakamega Homeboyz, Kariobangi Sharks will take on Nzoia Sugar, Bidco United will come up against Posta Rangers, Bandari will be at home against KCB, FC Talanta will face Nairobi City Stars while Kenya Police will entertain Sofapaka.