AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani was a man left frustrated with the playing conditions at the Machakos Stadium following a 1-1 draw against Shabana.
AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has voiced his frustrations over the poor state of stadiums hosting FKF Premier League matches, following his team’s 1-1 draw against Shabana FC at the Machakos Stadium on Sunday.
Kevin Nyabuto Omundi put Shabana ahead before Ovella Ochieng equalized for Leopards, ensuring both teams shared the points.
Reflecting on the result, Ambani was visibly disappointed, stating that he had expected his team to secure all three points.
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“I will say that I’m disappointed. I expected three points, not one, but it has happened that way,” Ambani told Azam Sports in his post-match interview.
However, his main concern was the substandard playing conditions, which he believes hinder teams from executing their game plans effectively.
Ambani took issue with the condition of the Machakos Stadium pitch, arguing that such venues should not be hosting FKF Premier League matches.
“We don’t even get to play football the way we want because of the pitch—it’s like an opponent. These are things the federation should look into. As coaches, we are doing our jobs, but we can’t execute our game plans well because of the stadium,” he said.
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The issue of inadequate stadium facilities has plagued Kenyan football, with many clubs being forced to use the Machakos and Dandora stadiums, both of which have received criticism over their poor conditions.
The problem has been exacerbated by the ongoing renovations at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums in preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The unavailability of these two major venues has even led to the postponement of the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby between AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia twice.
Beyond the stadium concerns, Ambani also highlighted his team’s struggles in front of goal, lamenting their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
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“I will emphasize the scoring—it was an issue today. We got chances and didn’t do much with them. But we were missing a key striker, and we hope they get back soon,” he added.
Following the draw, AFC Leopards now sit 5th on the FKF Premier League table with 36 points.
As the league progresses, Ambani will be hoping for improvements both on and off the pitch—better facilities and sharper finishing—to boost his team’s chances of climbing the standings.
