Mbungo upbeat as Leopards worry over Aussems’ future

Bandari coach Andre Cassa Mbungo is confident of victory in their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match against KCB Thursday at Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa.

Mbungo however acknowledged that staying out of competitive football for a month would make it tricky to predict the form and strength of teams.

"I’m confident we will win even though playing for the first time after such a long time makes it difficult to predict the outcome. But I’m optimistic as we’ll be at our home ground and playing before our own fans. We’ll do well," said the Rwandan coach.

Mbungo revealed that some of his players who nursing minor injuries and were racing against time to be declared fit for today’s encounter. He declined to name them not wanting to give any information to the bankers.

"I’ll make a decision on Thursday (today) morning on whether they will play depending on the medical reports I receive," he said.

Assure adherents

Meanwhile, AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda has come out to assure club adherents that coach Patrick Aussems is going nowhere and will be in charge when Ingwe face Posta Rangers at Nyayo Stadium from 3pm Thursday.

This follows reports that the Belgian tactician was on the brink of agreeing terms with Tanzanian side Namungo FC.

Namungo, who are struggling in the Tanzanian Premier League, are said to have opened talks with Aussems, who previously coached Simba Sports Club.

Shikanda said Aussems had not made any official communication to Leopards of intentions to leave the club.

He said the 56-year-old coach had a two-year contract with the 13-time league champions.

“Those spreading rumour about our coach are enemies of the club. They don’t want to see Leopards progressing. They made the same rumour when the coach was on leave in Belgium and when he returned they kept quiet,” said Shikanda.