AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha was left frustrated after his team fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Posta Rangers in their FKF Premier League encounter at Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday, 15 September. A 72nd-minute strike from Felix Oluoch proved to be the difference, with AFC Leopards unable to convert several clear chances throughout the match.
Trucha, who has been at the helm of the club since earlier this season, pointed to poor finishing as the primary reason for the defeat. “We had difficulties finishing our chances,” he lamented after the match. “We had multiple opportunities that could have turned the game in our favor. At the very least, we should have come away with a 2-1 or 3-1 victory, but we just didn’t capitalize.”
The defeat was a bitter pill for Leopards to swallow, especially after controlling much of the game’s possession and creating numerous set-piece opportunities. “We had a lot of free kicks, corners, and chances in the final third, but we failed to make the most of them,” Trucha added. “That’s what cost us today. We could have easily turned those into goals, but it didn’t happen.”
Despite the loss, the 52-year-old Czech tactician remained upbeat about his team’s overall performance, insisting that AFC Leopards were the better side for the majority of the match. “Apart from their goal, Posta Rangers didn’t really trouble us,” Trucha said. “They had one shot on target and a few off target, but outside of that, we dominated the game. We were the better team for the 97 minutes played.”
Trucha Urges Focus on Missed Chances
Felix Oluoch’s solitary goal came against the run of play, and though Posta Rangers were resolute in defense, it was AFC Leopards’ lack of sharpness in front of goal that ultimately made the difference.
Looking ahead, Trucha stressed the importance of a response from his players in their next league fixture against Bidco United, scheduled for 21 September at Thika Stadium. “This was a disappointing result, but we have to bounce back,” Trucha stated. “We are a big team, and we must show everyone that this loss was a one-off. I expect a strong response from the team in the next match, and we should come out on top against Bidco.”
A key factor in AFC Leopards’ defeat was the absence of South Sudanese captain Pater Maker, who was sidelined with an injury. Maker’s leadership and defensive solidity were missed, but Trucha expressed confidence in the players who stepped up in his absence. “Injuries and international breaks are always a challenge, and you don’t always have your best players available,” Trucha acknowledged. “However, I don’t think the issue today was with the players we fielded—the problem was our inability to score.”
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The defeat to Posta Rangers marks a setback for AFC Leopards, but Trucha remains optimistic about the team’s prospects moving forward. “It’s football, and these things happen,” he said. “We just need to focus on getting the result in the next game. We’ve shown that we can create chances, now we need to make sure we finish them.”
The upcoming match against Bidco United will be crucial for AFC Leopards as they look to get their FKF Premier League campaign back on track. With key players expected to return from injury, Trucha will be hoping his side can rediscover their scoring touch and secure a much-needed victory.
In conclusion, while AFC Leopards were left to rue missed opportunities in their defeat to Posta Rangers, Trucha remains confident that his side will respond positively in the upcoming fixture. With the coach calling for composure and clinical finishing, all eyes will be on Leopards as they aim to bounce back in style against Bidco United.
