Leopards coach Trucha laments lack of latrines at Thika Stadium, says Kenyan football ‘terrible’

AFC Leopards head coach Thomas Trucha has expressed his disappointment with the state of Kenyan football, calling the current quality “terrible” and “horrible.”

His remarks came after Leopards secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Bidco United at Thika Stadium, marking their first win against the same opponents in three years.

While Trucha celebrated the important three points, he was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the overall quality of play he observed.

 “To be honest, I have a mixture of feelings because Kenyan football in 2024—do you want this? Did you like the football? I don’t like it,” he stated.

The coach emphasized the need for a significant improvement in the level of football played in the country and expressed a desire to elevate AFC Leopards to compete in more challenging matches.

Trucha pointed out that the poor condition of football pitches contributes to the decline in performance, citing Thika Stadium’s lack of proper facilities.

The experienced coach said Ingwe’s training ground is far better than Thika stadium.

He highlighted the absence of dressing rooms and bathrooms at the municipal stadium located at the heart of Thika town, lamenting the necessity for players to find makeshift solutions during matches.

“You need to follow the rules, that you need dressing rooms. When you want to relieve yourself, where do you go? On the tires of your cars and the bus, am I right?” he remarked.

Despite these concerns, Trucha acknowledged that AFC Leopards are making progress compared to the previous season but emphasized the need for improvement in their finishing and goal-scoring abilities.

With the Kiambu County government having invested over Ksh60 million to upgrade Thika Stadium, including the completion of stalled terraces to increase capacity, there is hope for better facilities in the future.

Thika stadium has previously been banned from hosting Kenya Premier League matches following its poor state but the ban was lifted after some upgrades.

However, Trucha's candid critique serves as a wake-up call for Kenyan football, urging stakeholders to prioritize improvements that can elevate the game to a higher standard.