AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems believes Saturday’s big Mozzart Bet Cup semi final tie against Kakamega Homeboyz will be a ‘do or die’ clash, as the team looks to build on last weekend’s victory over rivals Gor Mahia at the Nyayo National Stadium.“Of course there is big pressure coming off a win,” Aussems told FKF Media as he led the team workouts on Wednesday afternoon. “That took place three days ago and so that’s memory. We are now focusing on the upcoming semifinal.” 🔵 THE BLUE MOVEMENT Saturday pale Nyayo Stadium form ndio hii#FKFCup #OursForever #INGWE#Betika #BataKenya pic.twitter.com/zmoo9dB2gJ— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) May 16, 2023 Goals from Maxwell Otieno and Victor Omune gave AFC Leopards a memorable victory over Gor Mahia on Sunday in the renowned Mashemeji Derby and as per Aussems, the game, plus the previous two FKF Premier League ties acted as buildups to the upcoming semifinal.“Its been three weeks now preparing for the game,” he said. “In the Gor game and even the ones before, against Nzoia Sugar and Ulinzi Stars, I tried to have the players focus as much as possible for the big semifinal.”Acknowledging the fact that the winner of the tie – slated for 1515 EAT kickoff at the Nyayo National Stadium – acts as ‘the shortest route to playing continental football’, the Belgian tactician said that the target for the club was to win ‘one of the two titles in the league’, asking for elevated levels of focus on the potential two games that could lead up to Ingwe snapping up their first piece of silverware since 2017 – when they won the FKF Shield Cup.“We have big 180 minutes coming up, but first, we have to keep our focus on the coming 90,” Aussems said. “It will be a tough game but I am confident. The win on Sunday gave us a boost.”At the same time, club skipper Eugene Mukangula described the competition ‘important’ as it will act up as an opportunity for some of the players to experience continental football for the first time in their careers.Eliud Kipchoge ready to race again after Boston disappointmentAFC Leopards are currently seventh in the FKFPL standings with 45 points – 19 behind leaders Tusker FC.
