Kimani confident of steadying Leopards ship after Truchas exit

Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani says he is happy to be back to head AFC Leopards technical bench, albeit on interim basis following the abrupt exit head coach Tomas Trucha.

Kimani says it is an honour to be trusted with the responsibility once again, having steered the team last season after resignation of former head coach Andre Casa Mbungo.

However, in October, Leopards roped in Trucha, who was however to last at the club for only about two months.

“I’m happy, AFC Leopards is a big team and whenever role you are given here is an honour. I’m going to give my best knowing clearly the vision of the club.”

Having led the team fairly smoothly in his short tenure as the interim boss last season, his demotion to assistant coach upon Trucha’s arrival was coldly received by a section of club members.

The club’s management however said Kimani was to be sent Europe for advanced coaching course, a promise he is coy to speak about in the wake of the new development. Instead, he preferred leaving the matter to the club management.

“This matter was brought to the public by the club’s executive. They would be in a better place to give details about it.”

Citizen Digital exclusively reported on Wednesday that Trucha coach was set to leave, his manager Prince Kofi complaining he was being threatened by unknown people, who demanded certain players to be accorded special treatment at Leopards.

The developments prompted the club’s chiefs to hold a crisis meeting Thursday afternoon with Chairman Dan Shikanda confirming Trucha’s exit.

However, the announcement by a Malaysian Super League club Penang FC that they had acquired his survives as the head coach on Friday morning poked holes on the claims the abrupt transition was indeed occasioned by the reported threats.

Leopards silenced Tusker FC 2-1 on Saturday in their season-opener, and Kimani will be in charge when they take on newbies Bidco United in their second match on Sunday at the MISC Kasarani.