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Why Harambee Stars assistant coach is backing AFC Leopards to end 28-year league drought
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 10.12.25. | 08:34
The national team assistant coach made the remarks after Ingwe's win over Gor Mahia
Harambee Stars assistant coach Anthony 'Modo' Kimani believes AFC Leopards tactician Fred Ambani is the man who will finally break the club’s 27-year wait for an FKF Premier League title.
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Kimani, who plied his trade with Ingwe between 2013 and 2015, was full of praise for Ambani, shortly after witnessing him lead his club to its first Mashemeji Derby victory over Gor Mahia in over two years on Sunday, 7 December.
Analysing the game, which was settled by a sole strike from Julius Masaba, Kimani told Azam TV that no man was in a better place than the former AFC Leopards player to lead the club to its first league title since 1998.
“He [Ambani] is one of those players who won the title with the team back in 1998,” Kimani, who had two interim spells at AFC Leopards in 2019 and 2020, said.
“If there is any manager, any person who understands what the club needs to do in order to lift another title, then it is undoubtedly him.”
Having taken over the reins at Ingwe in November 2024, Ambani has on multiple occasions had to deal with fan resentment, mainly coming as a result of the team’s inconsistent performances.
Kimani believes Ambani’s latest win against arch-rivals K’Ogalo was a testament to his winning abilities, and had a slight dig at individuals who had been calling him out.
“If there is anyone who had a thought that it is not possible, or had any doubts, then I think that with today’s (Sunday's) results, and especially how the team played, we have seen that Fred Ambani has announced to the world that he is ready to push AFC Leopards to the top of the league,” Kimani added.
Praising Ambani’s tactics in the derby win, Kimani said the substitutions in the second half were spot on.
“Despite playing away, AFC Leopards had more possession, especially in the second half when they had a lead to protect,” Kimani said.
“The players showed confidence, and the substitutions to bring on two midfielders in Kelly Madada and Brian Wanyama were so important in remaining solid, even when Gor Mahia upped the pressure in the last minutes.”
The win for Leopards saw them climb to seventh on the log with 17 points, three behind leaders Kenya Police, who have also played the same number of games (10).
