AFC Leopards boss Patrick Aussems has hailed his young side for showing consistency after edging Talanta FC 3-2 in an FKF Premier League duel witnessed at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.
The Belgian tactician has been behind the noticeable eye-catching football displayed at the den lately. He has instilled confidence and composure to the young Leopards squad with decent results consequently.
Aussems has built a strong unit from scratch at the 1998 Kenyan Premier League champions after a mass exodus of players witnessed at the club earlier in the current season owing to perceived financial constraints in the country’s top flight league.
With the club banned from making any signings then, the former Simba SC tactician utilised yet to be exposed talent from Ingwe academy to the current fruits the side is reaping.
Leopards boast of the season’s longest unbeaten run stretching to 11 matches. Ingwe have collected maximum points twice in their last three league outings and sharing spoils once.
They drew 1-1 with their eternal rivals Gor Mahia earlier in the month, won walkover points after Kariobangi Sharks failed to show up for a scheduled Premier League fixture before outsmarting newbies Talanta FC on Saturday.
Commenting on Saturday’s results, head coach Patrick Aussems was full of praise to the lads for taking in instructions earnestly and showing improvement consistently.
“We won 3-2 but we put ourselves in trouble ! Fortunately we didn’t give up and we kept believing on it. We showed character ! It’s also a way to win matches ! Those boys learn and progress weeks after weeks. Congrats boys! I will keep eyes on them,” he said.
Tipped for relegation in the early stages of the culminating campaign, Leopards have emerged above the odds to tenth position on the 18-team table with 42 points in 29 matches.
FKF Premier League Saturday Results
AFC Leopards 3-2 Talanta FC
Gor Mahia 1-1 Kakamega Homeboyz
Bidco United 0-1 Police FC
Mathare United vs Wazito Fc (Cancelled)
KCB 3- 2 City Stars
Posta Rangers 1-1 Sofapaka