AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha is optimistic about the club’s chances as they prepare to kick off the new Kenyan Premier League season.
Speaking ahead of their opener against returnees Mathare United on Saturday, Trucha assured fans the team is focused on making a strong start.
Reflecting on last season's performance, Trucha acknowledged the team's resilience after he took over with Leopards battling relegation in position 17.
"Overall, it was a good season. We aimed to avoid relegation and we achieved that. I believe we can finish in the top three this season," Trucha said.
He guided Ingwe to a fifth-place finish with 51 points after joining the club mid-season.
"We aim to start strong, like last season. I believe we are ready. The players know what's at stake which is encouraging," he noted.
He is, however, disappointed with how the transfer window panned out.
Despite signing the likes of Peter Masaba and Samuel Semo, they missed out on others.
"I submitted my list of players to the management by May. Unfortunately, most were not signed. However, we found decent replacements and I believe the team is better than last season."
The Czech acknowledged the balance of opportunities and challenges that new signings bring.
"It's a 50-50 situation. We signed quality players, but I believe we could have signed even more, given our ambitions," he added.
In their final preseason match, Leopards secured a 1-0 victory over NSL side MOFA, with forward Victor Omune on the scoresheet.
Before that, they played Uganda’s Express FC to a goalless draw.
The matches allowed Trucha to assess his squad as he targets a clean sweep of the first five encounters.
However, he is cautious, saying: "We want to challenge for the title and the cup. Our performances in the opening few games will show where we stand," he noted.
The team’s preparations were capped with an end-of-season awards gala at Maa Hotel, Nairobi.
Organised by the U45 Unit Branch, it was Leopards' first-ever awards ceremony, celebrating the outstanding performers from last season.
