AFC Leopards' fans urged to rally behind team.

Assistant coach Abdallah Juma has pleaded with club’s fans to be patient and support team in remaining matches as they fight for a better finish.

AFC Leopards assistant coach Abdallah Juma has pleaded with club’s fans to be patient and support the team in their remaining matches as they fight for a respectable finish.
“It is no secret that our performance has been below par this season. That, however, does not mean that we have given up on our dreams. The title is realistically gone, but we still have ambitions. We have the domestic cup to defend and a top eight finish to accomplish. These things are not easy, and the fan dissent does not help matters."
By fan dissent, the former KCB head coach was alluding to an incident that occurred during Leopards last league fixture on September 20 when club coach Pieter de Jongh was accosted by irate fans after their 2-2 draw with relegation-battling KCB.
“What happened in Mumias was really despicable and I was disappointed. We, however, understand that the fans are frustrated after the difficult season we have had. I just ask the fans to be patient because putting that enormous pressure on us to perform is now not healthy at all,” Juma told kpl.co.ke.
Juma, who joined Leopards from KCB in April, however, says he shared in frustrations the fans have endured this season. “When I came to the club I was very determined to help improve things.
"This has not happened and I also feel bad because it means I have not achieved my dreams. I, however, ask the fans to continue supporting the team because the boys need them even more during these difficult times."
The 2013 league runners up spent well over Sh1.5 million during the off season to bring in 12 new players among them goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya, defender Joseph Shikokoti and 2013 league top scorer Jacob Keli.
The big cats were again in transfer market mid-season splashing out Sh1.26 million for the services of five fresh players including Joseph Wanyonyi, Humphrey Mieno and Kenneth Wendo.
But consistency in results has not been forthcoming as the big-spending, star-laden, former multiple champions continue to languish in the bottom half of the table, three spots above relegation zone; a fact that has baffled pundits and club followers alike.
Ingwe face Nakuru All Stars on Sunday at Afraha Stadium in their next league fixture as they look to climb to the top half of the table with five rounds of matches remaining.