'I've never felt Mashemeji Derby pressure' - AFC Leopards head coach
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 05.12.25. | 15:54
Interestingly, Ambani has never lost the derby, both as a player and as a coach. The 48-year-old was part of the 1998 Leopards team that won their last league title
AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani is bullish ahead of the Mashemeji Derby, noting that he has never felt the pressure of facing Gor Mahia, both as a player and as a coach.
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Ingwe will be hosted by their arch-rivals, Gor Mahia, in the 98th Mashameji Derby scheduled for Sunday, 7 December at Nyayo National Stadium from 1600 hrs.
Ahead of the derby, Gor Mahia are currently at the top of the league table with 19 points, five more than Leopards, who sit in the seventh position.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, 4 December, during the team’s training base at the Marist International University College, Karen, the former Zoo FC head coach spoke of his calmness and what he expects from his troops in the match.
“I have never been under pressure because of the derby. It is also just to put the same mentality on players as the only pressure they should have is putting smiles on the faces of fans,” said Ambani.
Interestingly, Ambani has never lost the derby, both as a player and as a coach.
The 48-year-old was part of the 1998 Leopards team that won their last league title.
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The former Wazito FC tactician also believes that for such a monumental match, players need no motivation to be firing on all cylinders.
“It is just self-motivation. You can only do so much as a coach in such a match because the motivation should come from within.”
Additionally, he opened up on why players need to be at their best and give their all in the fixture.
“In such a game, you do not need incentives to motivate a player. It is a big game, and you do not know who is watching; scouts often like such matches, and so it is upon each player to give his best and sell his skills to the world,” he concluded.
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