Leopards have gathered four points from their last two games ever since their embarrasing 4-2 loss to FC Talanta earlier this month.
AFC Leopards interim coach Fred Ambani has shed light on how he managed to rally his team following their shocking 4-2 defeat to FC Talanta earlier this month, a result that subjected the players into facing widespread criticism.
Talanta’s victory on January 18, 2025, at Dandora Stadium marked their first-ever triumph over Leopards. The match was marred by Ingwe’s struggles off the pitch, as players had reportedly been on a go-slow due to unpaid allowances dating back to December.
Despite taking an early lead through Boniface Munyendo in the 11th minute, Leopards fell apart defensively, with Talanta’s Kevin Odongo and Brian Kipruto scoring in quick succession before halftime.
AFC Leopards created some good chances but could not make them count as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
The second half saw Talanta humiliate their opponents further, with Emmanuel Osoro’s audacious goal—pushing the ball into the net with his backside after rounding goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi—becoming the ultimate symbol of Leopards’ collapse. Though Victor Otieno pulled one back for Ingwe in the dying moments, the damage was already done.
However, since that fateful match, Ambani has successfully rejuvenated his side. Leopards responded with a resounding 4-2 victory over KCB in Murang’a and secured a crucial point in a 1-1 draw against Murang’a Seal, a game they dominated but failed to convert more chances.
Speaking to the media after their recent match, Ambani explained how he addressed his players’ mental state following the Talanta debacle.
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“When players are mentally affected, preparation becomes haphazard. I have had to prepare my players mentally to see through the bad times, just like you train your child as a parent to persevere through sticky moments,” Ambani said.
Ambani described how his role as a “father figure” helped his players adapt to adversity and bounce back stronger.
“We played KCB, who are fighting for the title, just a few days after Talanta. It was a tricky situation, but the fact they were able to fight back shows this is a good team.”
While Leopards’ last league triumph came in 1998 under Tanzanian coach Sunday Kayuni, Ambani remains optimistic about closing the gap on league leaders Kenya Police and Tusker FC.
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“Anything is possible. If we win both those games, we will have closed the gap. We need God’s intervention, but once we win, we will have closed the gap,” Ambani declared confidently.
Since taking over in November 2024 after the departure of Tomas Trucha, Ambani has revitalized the team, losing just once in seven matches. Despite the uphill battle, he believes his team is capable of achieving something special this season.
AFC Leopards, known for their passionate fan base, will need to channel their recent resurgence into consistent performances if they hope to return to the glory days of their 1998 league triumph.
For now, Ambani’s leadership and his players’ mental fortitude appear to be the driving forces behind their push to reclaim lost pride and, perhaps, dream of silverware once again.
