Zetech coach Kitolo blames 'painful' AFC Leopards defeat on inexperience

Image: Bernard Kitolo official Facebook page

FKF CUP Zetech coach Kitolo blames 'painful' AFC Leopards defeat on inexperience

Festus Chuma 11:31 - 05.03.2023

The Students were sent crashing out of the Mozzart Bet Cup at the first hurdle.

Zetech Titans head coach Bernard Kitolo believes his side's inexperience cost them against AFC Leopards in Saturday's Mozzart Bet Cup Round of 32 encounter.

The Students conceded with only seven minutes played when Maxwell Otieno hit the back of the net before Cliff Nyakeya put the game away late in the second stanza.

However, they were unlucky to lose as they could not convert the many chances created at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. 

In a post-match interview, Kitolo said the Leopards clash was more of a learning curve for the team, especially for the young and inexperienced players in the squad.

"Inexperience cost us today. We struggled to keep the ball, and whenever we had it, we lost it very easily, which shows that we lacked a bit of experience in certain areas.

Otherwise, I am happy with how we played; it was a good outing, especially in the first half, where we created open chances despite being a goal down.

A concentration lapse caused us on both occasions, it is painful, but we have to dust ourselves and focus on the future assignments," he said.

Zetech Titans play in Division One Zone A, where they are placed ninth on the league standings with 15 points from eight matches.

It is worth noting that AFC Leopards will face Murang'a Seal in the last 16, and a triumph there will bring them closer to an eighth FKF Cup title.

So far, seven Football Kenya Federation Premier League teams, namely Ulinzi Stars, Tusker, KCB, Ulinzi Stars, AFC Leopards, Bidco United and KCB, have booked their spot in the last 16.