Exclusive: Tomas Trucha Admits AFC Leopards Running out of Time to Beef Up squad
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha reveals that time is running out to sign new players ahead of the 2024/25 season. Despite missing targets, he remains hopeful of strengthening the squad before the season opener on August 24.
Image Credits: Pulse Sports Kenya
AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has made a damning revelation that the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League outfit missed out on targets shortlisted for signing in readiness for the new 2024/25 season set to kick off on August 24.
The 52-year-old Trucha will take charge of Ingwe for the second season, having returned to the Den on October 13, 2023, to be precise, at the halfway stage of last season, and managed to guide the team to a fifth-place finish in the 18-team table.
The Czech tactician further took Ingwe to the semi-finals of the domestic Mozzart Bet FKF Cup where they lost 1-0 to eventual winners Kenya Police.
Ingwe Targets Have Not Signed for the Den
With the league one week away from kick-off, Trucha admitted the once mighty club are running out of time to unveil new signings, and openly said most of his targets had already snubbed the team.
“Last season, I watched many matches in Kenya Premier League and National Super League (NSL) and from this scouting, we submitted to AFC’s top management the list of players which we wanted to be sign but most of them did not come,” Trucha told SportsBoom.com when asked whether he was satisfied with transfer activities at the Den.
Queried further to expound why the targets had not been signed, Trucha said: “It’s not me to answer the question why it did not happen.”
However, Trucha remained confident despite time running out, Ingwe will still get replacements for the targets. “Obviously with time running out. we are still looking for other options to strengthen the team,” added Trucha.
When reached for a comment, a top AFC official, who did not want to be named, declined to give SportsBoom.com the list of new signings only saying the process will be made official in due course.
That can’t be disclosed at the moment since it hasn’t been made official,” said the source, adding: “We don’t have any official communique on the new arrivals and those leaving the club.
Tomas Trucha
There Are No Shortcuts in Football to Win Titles
Trucha outlined several reasons why AFC Leopards’ dream to end their 26-year wait trophy drought may not be realised in the new campaign.
In a recent interview, AFC President Dan Shikanda said the time for the club to end their almost decade wait to win the Premier League title is now, and it will happen in the new 2024/25 season.
“The new season will belong to AFC Leopards, we will win the league, we want to make it clear, and this message must reach out to our rivals including Gor Mahia, mark this day in your calendar, and it is good to say it so that teams in the league be aware of our intentions,” Shikanda said as quoted by SportsBoom.com.
"Of course, it will not be easy, I can predict at least six teams fighting for the title but at the end of the day, AFC Leopards will come up tops, we will be crowned champions. We will be the last team standing, it will be our season.”
Image Credits: Pulse Sports Kenya
Shikanda added: “You can go ask my coach Tomas (Trucha), he is here and will tell you the same thing, it is not going to be business as usual, we will fight for the title, we will do everything to win it for the fans, we all know it has been a long wait and time to deliver the success is now, I don’t see anything that will stand on our way.”
Responding to Shikanda’s statement, Trucha said: “When President Dan (Shikanda) talks about titles, I always tell him how he wants to make it. Do we have the best of the best in the team, do we have the best training centre in the country, how many local national or foreign players do we have compared with other Kenya top teams, do we have the highest budget and biggest pool of sponsors?
“Definitely not and there are no shortcuts in football. You must be ready to win a title and to know how to do it. We will have a competitive team, but other clubs are not sleeping and working too.”
Ingwe’s last league success came in 1998 while their last trophy triumph – the domestic Cup – was realised in 2017 after securing a 2-0 victory against Kariobangi Sharks in the final.
Ingwe Aiming Positive Start in the New Season
However, Trucha revealed Ingwe’s focus to start the season on a high note, saying it will influence their plans to have a positive campaign. “We are looking forward to starting the new season strong, we all know what happened in the first seven matches of last season,” offered Trucha.
“We are talking about it with the players and we are aware how bad or a good start can influence the whole season. We want to focus on our game and not think too much about opponents as we have to play all 17 teams twice.”
On whether he was satisfied with the team’s pre-season, Trucha responded: “Yeah. Firstly, I wanted to have all new players with the team from the start but it did not happen and secondly, we wanted to have proper six weeks of work including camp and competitive matches.
“What about training plans we are on, matches and opponents could be stronger but some team felt that we are too strong for their pre-season starts and now it's also time to introduce newcomers to our tactics.”
Having joined Ingwe while they were struggling and fighting against relegation, Trucha, who replaced under fire coach Tom Juma, discussed his opportunity to take charge of the team from the season onset.
“Motivation is always there and to be with the team for pre-season and build something with the technical bench, players unit and management is what makes this work here very exciting,” explained Trucha.
Ingwe, who finished last season with 51 points accumulated from 13 wins, 12 draws and nine defeats, will begin their new season with an away fixture against bogey side Mathare United at Dandora Stadium on Saturday, August 24.
Dennis is a seasoned journalist in Kenya with over 18 years of experience. Having started his career at Kenya Times Newspaper, Dennis worked for Standard Newspaper for nearly six years as a Sports Writer. At Standard, he was privileged to cover Kenya's national team Harambee Stars outside the country, the biggest of all being the Four Nations tournament in Cairo, Egypt. He also covered the U17 team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.