Ingwe coach shifts focus to next season

AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems is already strategising on how to improve the team for next season.

Ingwe failed to clinch a CAF football ticket when they went down to arch-rivals Gor Mahia in the FKF Cup final on post-match penalties, and with Tusker eloping with the league title Aussems feels it is time to start earnest preparations.

The Belgian said that it is time that AFC Leopards starts planning for the next season, starting with knowing which players will be available and which ones will leave the club at the end of the campaign.

The coach echoed that currently, he is working with players at his disposal, noting that they will need to use the remaining 8 games to try different things in their playing style as part of their preparation for the new season.

"To be honest, I think AFC Leopards needs to prepare for next season. It means that we need to know which players will stay and which ones will go. I am working with the players at my disposal. I think we have to use the last eight games to prepare for next season and work on different situations, that's the target at now," Aussems said.

Benjamin Ochan, and Said Tsuma have had contract issues and have been not on the team sheet since Ingwe's game against Bandari.

Clyde Senaji has been linked with a move away from the club, with Collins Shichenje reportedly making a European move to Greece, and Robinson Kamura allegedly falling out with the technical bench.

The coach also expressed his satisfaction with his players, acknowledging that those that have been playing have been giving their all despite all the issues that are surrounding the club.

He went ahead to say that his stay at the club for the next season is also not guaranteed but there are ongoing talks with the club, adding that if he were to stay, he will want a team that will compete for the title to end the 23 year drought.

"I am satisfied that the players give their best during the game despite the issues at AFC Leopards, they always give their best. If I stay next season, because I am not sure I will stay but we are in talks, I want a competitive team. I want the team to be able to fight for the title. When you need to keep or sign good players, it is all about money. I know what I want for next season but it will depend on the financial situation which is not something that I handle," the former Simba SC coach said.