Ambani points to pitch, injuries after AFC Leopards’ unbeaten run crumbles in Awendo
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 09.11.25. | 13:40
The defeat not only halted Leopards’ impressive streak but also denied them a chance to temporarily go top of the table ahead of Kakamega Homeboyz’s fixture on Sunday
AFC Leopards’ 14-match unbeaten run came to a dramatic end on Saturday after a late collapse handed Mara Sugar a 2-0 victory in an FKF Premier League clash at Awendo Green Stadium.
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The defeat not only halted Leopards’ impressive streak but also denied them a chance to temporarily go top of the table ahead of Kakamega Homeboyz’s fixture on Sunday.
Mara Sugar, who had drawn their previous three matches, showed grit and patience before striking twice late on through Dennis Cheruiyot in the 88th minute and added time.
Despite enjoying long spells of possession, Leopards failed to make their dominance count, a wastefulness that left head coach Fred Ambani visibly frustrated after the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, Ambani blamed the shock loss on two key factors: a poor pitch and an injury-hit squad.
“It is what it is. We have to recover quickly and focus on the next game,” Ambani said.
“This ground was way too dilapidated for us to express ourselves. My team is also depleted through injuries, particularly in defense.”
The coach revealed that the injuries forced him into tactical changes that disrupted his original game plan.
“I have some players that are ailing, so we had to change two players, which affected our plan,” he added. “Fortunately, no one got injured today, but it really limited what we could do tactically.”
Despite the disappointment, Ambani chose to see the loss as a possible wake-up call for his in-form side.
“We got found out, but it’s not a bad situation because sometimes that works for us,” he said. “It just wasn’t our day, we were unlucky.”
Leopards carved out several clear chances but failed to convert.
Kelly Madada fired over the bar from range in the 27th minute before setting up Elias Mugane, whose shot went wide.
Mugane squandered another opportunity just before halftime.
Their best spell came in the second half when James Kinyanjui’s corner found Emmanuel Lwangu, whose header missed by inches.
Substitute Victor Omune also went close moments later, sending his effort narrowly wide.
Those missed chances proved costly as Mara Sugar punished Ingwe late on, sealing their second win of the season and lifting them to seventh place on 10 points from seven matches.
Leopards, meanwhile, slipped to fourth in the standings, two points behind Gor Mahia and leaders Kakamega Homeboyz, who still have a game in hand.
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