AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani believes the 12-time Kenyan champions can win the first Football Kenya Premier League title in 27 years following the team’s rise to the top of the standings table for the first time this season after spending long spells in the middle of the table.
On Tuesday, Leopards beat Bidco United 1-0 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, to jump to the summit of the 18-team standings, and Ambani believes the time is ripe for ‘Ingwe’ to end their 27-year title wait.
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani during the Mashemeji derby at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on December 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“It is evident that we are going for the league (title). People took us for granted, but they are now seeing the results. They are seeing that this team is turning into something good, and that will lead the team to good things in future.”
Buoyed by Leopards’ resurgence in the league, the former Kenyan international has reiterated his desire to lift this season’s title, crediting the progress to “a carefully planned project”.
Bidco United'S Brian Mboya (right) and AFC Leopards' Bonface Kweyu during their FKF Premier League match played at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on on December 23, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Defender Samuel Semo’s 31st-minute strike on Tuesday was enough to lift the 12-time champions to the top of the log with 24 points. Chasing their first top-flight league title since their last triumph in 1998, Leopards have won six times, drawn six times, and lost one this season.
While Tusker have also amassed 24 points from 15 matches, the brewers sit second on the log thanks to an inferior goal difference. Record 21-time champions Gor Mahia are third with 23 points from 12 matches. “K’Ogalo” are awaiting the outcome of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Disciplinary Committee regarding their botched league match against Nairobi United at Dandora Stadium on Sunday. Due to crowd trouble, the high-stake contest was abandoned in the 58th minute with the team tied 1-1.
“It is a good feeling to be on top of the league table,” a visibly-delighted Ambani said. “It has been quite a long time since AFC Leopards were last on top of the table. Kudos to the boys, the technical bench, and the office. They are doing a great job,” the coach added. He recalled a moment in the league when he came under pressure after the team’s slow start to the season. Some of the club’s fans calling for his sacking.
“I would like to thank the office (management) because they believed in me. Had they heeded to the fans’ wish, things would not have been the way they are now. They gave us time to change the team and I believe the fans have started seeing progress,” coach Ambani said. He attributed the team’s impressive results to the growing chemistry among his players.
With their bitter-rivals Gor being among the teams they have humbled on their way to the top of the league standings, Ambani said he is “very proud” of how AFC Leopards’ campaign has so far unfolded.
“Ingwe” beat Gor 1-0 in the 98th edition of “Mashemeji” derby on December 7 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Ebenezer Adukwa (left) controls the ball as Musa Oundo of AFC Leopards closes in during the Mashemeji derby at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on December 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Meanwhile, Shabana’s coach Peter Okidi is confident that his side will finish this season on a high.
“Last season, the title slipped away from our hands. Despite dropping some points, we are very cautious with every game this season and we believe at the end of the season, we will give our fans something to smile about,” Okidi, who was named the SportPesa League coach of the month for November, said. Shabana are fourth on the log with 23 points.
Shabana, popularly known as “Glamour Boys”, have won just thrice at Gusii Stadium this season, and Okidi has admitted that he is worried about their poor record at home. He noted that the team is out to create a winning mentality with the hope of turning around their fortunes at Gusii next year.
“It is a question that we have also been asking ourselves, but the good thing is that we are playing very well. We are still trying to create a winning mentality so that we can start thriving at Gusii Stadium. Come 2026, things will work out,” said the coach.
