Aussems elated with win over Nzoia, points out at fitness struggles

AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems has admitted that his team laboured to beat Nzoia Sugar in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) match between the two sides, played on Saturday afternoon at Ruaraka Grounds.

Caleb Olilo scored the all-important goal in the first stanza after connecting to an Elvis Rupia flick. It was his first competitive goal for Ingwe, a side he joined at the start of the season from National Super League (NSL) side, Nairobi Stima.

The match was largely balanced with both teams creating numerous chances which they failed to utilize. Nzoia in the particular had many chances to score after the interval but lack of composure up-front saw them squander chance after chance.

Aussems is happy with the win but admits it was not easy. He also disclosed that he expected his team to struggle with fitness.

“It was not easy because it is like we start a new league. It’s almost two months since we last played an official game but the most important thing was the three points. We knew that we will not be ready especially physically,” he said after the match.

The Belgian tactician admitted that his team struggled with Nzoia’s second-half approach where they opted to play long-balls but was equally disappointed that his team did not win the game by a larger margin.

“But we got the job done despite being in trouble especially in the second half with these long balls but you know in this kind of game when we have the opportunity we need to win by a large score and that is my disappointment because in the second half we were more defensive,” he added.

The win lifted Leopards to second in the FKF Premier League log with 32 points, two behind leaders Tusker FC. Next for them is an away game against Posta Rangers.