AFC Leopards head coach, Tom Juma has admitted that he doesn't expect an easy match against their arch-rivals Gor Mahia when they clash in Mashemeji Derby this Saturday at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Ingwe will be seeking to secure their first league win after a poor start to the season but will face a strenuous challenge from the defending champions.
This will be the 94th meeting between the two bitter rivals. The all-time FKF league champions Gor Mahia have had the upper hand recording 31 wins against Ingwe’s 28 and drawing 34 times.
Juma emphasised the matches’ importance to the team considering their poor run of results since the start of the season, noting that there were no easy games for Ingwe.
“At Leopards, there are no easy games. All teams come with the mentality to try and beat us. Of course with Gor Mahia, they are our biggest rivals. They were champions last season, maybe with a better squad, of course, we are ready for that challenge. We will do our best and try to win,” Juma said.
Ingwe currently sit in position 15 with four points while Gor are second with nine points from the five matches played.
Leopards have drawn four of their five matches against FC Talanta Muhoroni, Kenya Police, and Shabana.
They lost 1-0 to KCB in Match Week Two with Musa Oundo receiving his marching orders after a rough tackle.
The tactician said for the team to succeed in the Gor game, they need to play their normal game as they have trained enough. He called on the fans to turn up in large numbers to show support for the team.
“What we have to do is just play our normal game and try to do the right things. And of course our fans, we really depend on them as the 12th man and should turn up in large numbers just like in the last game and give the team support,” he added.
The previous league match against Shabana FC at the Ulinzi Sports Complex recorded a turnout of 7,500 with AFC stating they had made Sh1.4 million in ticket sales.
AFC Leopard’s dynamic winger Jaffari Owiti said the squad was ready for tomorrow's match and they are motivated heading into the derby.
He, however, admitted that he did not expect the duel to be easy.
“I know it won’t be an easy game but with the way the coach has prepared the team, we are ready for the match. We have no pressure going into the game. Our expectation as a team is to record a win because we have not started the season well,” he said.
The last meeting between the two sides on May 14 at the Nyayo Stadium saw goals from Victor Omune and Maxwell Otieno earn Ingwe their first league victory in seven years over their arch-rivals.
