NAIROBI, Kenya, March 24 – AFC Leopards head coach, Zdravko Logarusic says the team needs more time to adapt into his philosophy since they began their pre-season late.
Logarusic who joined the Den three days before they opened their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) campaign against Chemelil Sugar, declared the club is paying it price for having a shambolic pre-season compared to their competitors who had a seven-week long preparation ahead of the 2015 season.
Leopards journey of reviving up for good performance after last season’s trophy-less debacle faced stumbling blocks after players threw their pre-season into a spin, in a series of go slows, demanding unpaid salary and bonus arrears.
“We have had little time of training compared to others who started early, most of the players only had three weeks preparation at most so this means we are still in pre-season but it’s for our advantage because those clubs that started early can get fatigue.
“We are still far and need to do more since payers are missing some simple tactical techniques. With the squad that I have and maybe add few during mid-season, we will be there,” Logarusic who settled for a barren draw in his first assignment against Chemelil Sugar stated.
The Croatian who rubbished claims that he boycotted Monday’s training due to unpaid arrears urged his charges not to underrate wounded Nakuru All Stars, when the two sides clash in Wednesday’s KPL fixture.
“We didn’t play well against Chemelil; the work rate of some players was low and the defence was not solid. There was no connection between midfielders and strikers but we will work on them and be ready for our next match.
“We have to take one match at a time and the worst we can do is to undervalue All Stars because they lost 6-2 to KCB. We have fresh boys who did not play against City Stars who we intend to use,” Logarusic who led Gor Mahia to 2012 GOtv Shield and KPL runner-ups underscored.
Commenting on financial challenges that faces the club, 54-year-old Logarusic who had stints with Tanzanian giants, Simba SC said,
“It’s not easy but I take it as a challenge because its upon us to fix the problem and step by step I believe we will be heading to the right direction.”
The management of the club is yet to settle two month salary and bonus arrears of the team but assistant secretary general, Asava Kadima told Capital Sport the debt will be cleared soon.
“We are working tirelessly to see that the club is financially stable and the team is very cooperative. Our coach (Logarusic) did not boycott yesterday’s training as reported, he and goal keeper trainer Iddi Salim requested for a day off as assistant coach Yusuff Chippo was in charge,” Kadima underscored.
