Relegation fears envelop Talanta after ruthless clawing by AFC Leopards

Relegation fears envelop Talanta after ruthless clawing by AFC Leopards

Mark Kinyanjui 10:30 - 14.05.2024

Talanta are starring down the barrel as that was their third straight loss which leaves them 14th on the 18-team table with 30 points from 29 games following their loss to AFC Leopards.

FC Talanta interim coach Jackson Gatheru has revealed his disappointment at his charges’ humbling to AFC Leopards, which leaves their survival chances bleak with five games of the 2023/2024 FKFPL season left to play.

Talanta has struggled under Gatheru, managing only one win, a draw, and four defeats since the departure of Ken Kenyatta.

Against Leopards, the club could not get going. Emmanuel Lwangu broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with his first goal for the club after heading in Brian Wanyama’s corner to settle the nerves.

It took Leopards seven minutes to double their advantage, the goal coming through another header, this time round Rwandan striker Arthur Gitego on the end of it.

Tomas Trucha’s men turned on the style 13 minutes from time when substitute Kevin Kimani showed great quality to score the third goal.

Kimani finished well a cut back from Randy Bakari as his substitution yielded immediate dividends for Leopards.

“We did not play how we usually play. We played negative football, so we have to go back to the drawing board and know how we are going to attack,” Gatheru told the media after the match.

“We knew AFC Leopards were dangerous from set-pieces but the boys still dallied. We blundered big time in the second half.”

Talanta's upcoming match against relegation rivals Shabana FC could be pivotal for their survival hopes, as a defeat could see them drop into the red zone.

“We are red zoned and in danger. We have to work hard especially for the upcoming match against Shabana. We have to win all three points.”

Talanta are starring down the barrel as that was their third straight loss which leaves them 14th on the 18-team table with 30 points from 29 games.

That is just two more points than Shabana and Sofapaka, and three adrift of Muhoroni Youth, who are all fighting to avoid relegation.

“We need six points from the next five games in order to guarantee safety.”

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