FKF-PL: Leopards, Gor Mahia coaches feel the heat
AFC Leopards coach Tomas Trucha at half-time during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against Bandari at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa on October 22, 2023.
What you need to know:
- In Dandora, Meshack Otieno scored via a low cross from Starlon Odhiambo. KCB still lead the standings on 17 points from eight rounds of matches, while Mathare United are fifth on 11 points.
- Mara Sugar rose to the second spot following goals from Meshack Karani and Mike Isabwa in the fourth and 43rd minute against Bidco. They have now garnered 14 points, three less than leaders KCB.
Thomas Trucha, coach of Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League team AFC Leopards, has become the latest victim of football hooliganism after a section of the club’s fans accosted him Sunday moments after his team lost 2-0 to Ulinzi Stars in a league match at Kinoru Stadium in Meru.
On Saturday, irate fans of Gor Mahia accosted coach Leonardo Martins Neiva after the team blew away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in a league match against Murangá Seal at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.
Neiva was saved by the club’s stewards and police officers, who fired in the air and lobed teargas cannisters in the air to disperse angry fans. Last Monday, Gor Mahia lost 1-0 to City Stars in a a league match.
On Sunday, league leaders KCB suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of 2008 champions Mathare United at Dandora Stadium in Nairobi.
Mara Sugar's impressive run in their first season at the top flight league continued with a 2-0 romp over Bidco United which saw them rise to the second spot in the FKF-PL standings.
Mara Sugar’s Makari Evans (left) vies for the ball with Chris Opondo of Bidco during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos County on November 3, 2024.
In Kisii, Shabana FC’s woes deepened, the team losing1-0 to Nairobi City Stars at Gusii Stadium. In Meru, a visibly-shaken coach Trucha was rushed to safety after Leopards fans assaulted him. The fans demanded that he leaves the club after losing the third match of the season.
Last week, AFC Leopards’ fans wrote a warning letter to the coach from the Czech Republic, telling him to help the team improve its results or leave.
Trucha responded, saying he shouldn’t be blamed for the poor performance since the club’s leadership had failed to deliver on his transfer programme.
He named Gor Mahia’s forward Samuel Kapen and Tusker FC’s defender Mike Kibwage as players he had planned to recruit, but the plan fell through due to delayed paperwork and payment.
On Sunday, Mutheli Yakeen gave Ulinzi Stars the lead in 69th minute, and Boniface Muchiri added a second goal in the 92nd minute of the match.
In Dandora, Meshack Otieno scored via a low cross from Starlon Odhiambo. KCB still lead the standings on 17 points from eight rounds of matches, while Mathare United are fifth on 11 points.
Mara Sugar rose to the second spot following goals from Meshack Karani and Mike Isabwa in the fourth and 43rd minute against Bidco. They have now garnered 14 points, three less than leaders KCB.
