Why AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani is a worried man ahead of next Mashemeji Derby against Gor Mahia

Ambani has expressed concern before AFC Leopards’ next league clash against Gor Mahia following their draw against Sofapaka.

AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has voiced his concerns as his side gears up for the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby against arch-rivals Gor Mahia on March 2, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium.

Ingwe’s goalless draw against Sofapaka on Wednesday raised alarm bells, with Sofapaka missing several clear-cut chances that could have condemned Leopards to a defeat. 

The performance left Ambani visibly frustrated, as his team’s attacking inefficiency continues to be a major problem ahead of the showdown with K’Ogalo.

The stalemate dealt a blow to AFC Leopards’ title aspirations, as they now trail FKF Premier League leaders Kenya Police by seven points.


AFC Leopards vs Gor Mahia fixture originally scheduled for November 24, 2024 was postponed.


 The current standings see Kenya Police on 41 points, followed by Tusker (39), Gor Mahia (35), and KCB (35). The gap underscores the urgency for Ingwe to rediscover their winning form if they are to remain in the title race.

Speaking to Azam TV after the match, Ambani did not hold back in his assessment of his team’s struggles:

“I was not pleased with how we played today. I would rather concede having played well than win playing badly. I do not know what happened today, but we need to work on what is going wrong as soon as possible.”

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The coach highlighted key areas where his team has been falling short, particularly in the attacking department:

“We are not effective enough upfront. When wide players are being forced to work more, you know there is a problem. 

“We have also been slow in build-up, so you cannot expect us to have speed upfront in such a situation. It is a wake-up call before the derby, and we need to work very hard to correct the situation.”

AFC Leopards have also been hampered by the absence of key players to injuries and suspensions, which has forced Ambani to make tactical compromises:

“We have missed Boni (Munyendo) because it has forced us to use Kelly Madada in an unusual position, which has affected him. We have also been forced to use Lewis Bandi as a midfielder, which is affecting us. We are learning. Thankfully, some players are coming back from suspension, so it should give us an edge.”

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Despite the current setbacks, Ambani remains hopeful that his side can bounce back in time for the derby:

“It has given us a challenge to go and do the right things because it has to be a wake-up call for us before the derby.”

Meanwhile, Sofapaka head coach Ezekiel Akwana remains focused on his team’s long-term development. Following a recent 2-0 win over KCB, he has set his sights on a top-eight finish this season.

“We have a relatively young squad led by captain Baron Ochieng’, with an average age of around 23. I want to make it a two-to-three-years project before we get the fruits,” Akwana said.

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Currently sitting eighth with 29 points, Batoto Ba Mungu have opted to skip the FKF Cup this weekend, allowing the squad time to regroup before their next league fixture.

With the derby just around the corner, AFC Leopards must quickly address their inefficiencies if they are to stand a chance of ending their winless streak against Gor Mahia, which dates back to 2023.

For Ambani, the next few days will be crucial in fine-tuning his squad as they prepare to battle their fierce rivals in one of Kenyan football’s biggest fixtures.