Pressure mounting on Leopards over poor performance

Pressure is mounting on the technical bench of 13-time Kenyan Premier League champions AFC Leopards over poor start to the 2018/19 season.

Members of the team’s technical bench, led by 25-year-old Serbian coach Marko Vasiljevic, his assistant Tom Juma and goalkeeper trainer Lawrence Webo and captain Robinson Kamura and his deputy Whyvonne Isuza were on Monday summoned by the club’s executive committee to explain why the team has had a poor start.

“We wanted to understand why good results are not coming our way despite providing the team with all the necessities,” Leopards secretary-general Oscar Igaida told Nation Sport.

AFC Leopards lost 1-0 to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County on Saturday.

At one stage during the match, visibly-angry Ingwe fans demanded a change of guard at the team’s technical bench.

Out of seven games played, Leopards have posted a single win - a 2-0 result against Posta Rangers on January 2, as well as four draws, and two defeats suffered at the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz and KCB.

The team’s striking force has struggled since the season started, scoring just six goals and conceding eight. They team is ranked 13th with seven points, just two above the relegation zone.

Leopards’ trouble started in the pre-season when experienced Serbian coach Nikola Kavazovic unceremoniously quit after a month on the job. His assistant, Marko, was promoted to the role of head coach.

“This is the game we had the least possession and we won,” KCB coach Frank Ouna said whilst appreciating the contribution of his newly appointed assistant coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo.

“I’ve known Pamzo for long, we were desk mates when we were doing the Caf license and I’ve played against him several times, I appreciate what he has brought on board,” confessed Ouna.

The bankers’ first win took their tally to five points but remained second from bottom.

Mathare United, who’ve garnered 17 points, remain top of the table as one of the unbeaten sides after seven rounds.

Second-placed Bandari and fifth-ranked Kariobangi Sharks, who handed Western Stima’s first defeat on Sunday, are the other sides yet to test a loss.

The Slum Boys coach Francis Kimanzi is confident that his youthful side can extend their positive run and even challenge for the title.

“The boys are showing what they’ve been acquiring for the previous two to three years they’ve been together by winning matches,” said Kimanzi whose side has scored 12 goals and conceded just four.

Defending champions Gor Mahia, who are seven points below the leaders, were spared from league action owing to their continental fixture against New Stars of Cameroon.

They host Mount Kenya United at Kasarani stadium on Wednesday from 4pm.