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 spoke exclusively to Telecomasia.net ahead of the game, and 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.
- Do you feel a lot of pressure on your shoulders heading into the weekend derby?
- 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.
- Of course the recent happenings build in more pressure on your job especially with the results not going your way. How are you handling it?
- 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.
- How is the team looking ahead of the derby? Are you confident that you can get a good result?
- It has been really challenging preparing for the derby because of injuries, sickness and suspensions so we have not had our full squad this week in training. These are not ideal conditions but we have to be ready for this big game. We have to find a formation and a starting line up that is the best from what we have available and which can give us a good game and a good result. We know it will be a very tough game, but we also equally know the expectation from our fans for a victory and we have to work hard to give them what they deserve.
- What are some of the areas you have looked to improve from the winless run in the last four games, to be in a good position to win in the derby?
- If you look at those games, we have been conceding from individual mistakes. We have tried to cut down on those mistakes especially defensively because at the backline, one simple mistake will cost you the three points like we saw in the last game against Mara. We have also worked on improving our finishing because in most of the games, we have been getting many chances but don’t finish them. In the derby, you will not get that many chances and we want to ensure that the few we get count for goals.
- This is your first full season in charge at Leopards. How has the ride been and are you confident you can drive the team to the title this season?
- There are obviously a lot of challenges and issues around a football team. But as a coach, you have to try your best and do what is within your abilities on the pitch with the players. I believe everybody in the club must do their job and perform their roles with professionalism.
I remember at the start of the season I said that the club is not yet ready to claim the title. The team is competitive but we have to work more together. We have some challenges we need to sort out before we can win the title. But, we will still battle for the title. We have seen many teams are limping so far in the season and we have to push. We are six points behind KCB and nothing is over yet because the season has just started.
This game can be a very important step to come back and show that we can fight for the title.
- What is your word to the fans ahead of this very important game against Gor Mahia?
- First, I want to thank them because of their support. I believe we have the biggest number of supporters in the league. I know they are angry because the last few results have not been good but I am glad they are still coming to support us. I want to ask them to come out again in large numbers and we will do our job to get a good result and three points on the table.