AFC Leopards’ 1-0 victory over Gor Mahia on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium was an accumulation of deliberate efforts by a team that had intended to be the first to do everything.
AFC Leopards arrived at the Nyayo National Stadium for the 98th Mashemeji derby league meeting at 12:54 pm.
They showed up for the 3pm kick-off 50 minutes before hosts Gor Mahia revelled in the dramatic flair of a late entrance at 1:44pm.
There were fewer people at the gates when AFC Leopards arrived, allowing for a quick and smooth entry as the police and stewards had an easy time setting up a cordon along Douglas Wakiihuri Road.
Gor Mahia’s arrival, however, caused pandemonium at the gates that delayed their entry.
AFC Leopards players celebrate their goal against Gor Mahia in front of their fans during the Mashemeji derby at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on December 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
AFC Leopards were also the first to step on the pitch for the warm-ups, leaving Gor Mahia to delight in the attention that welcomed their late entry.
“We planned to arrive early for this match because late arrivals have been our undoing in our previous matches. Arriving early allowed us to settle down and get accustomed to the environment. Players who never played in the derby before also had enough time to calm their nerves,” AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani said after the match.
Indeed, the calm nerves among AFC Leopards showed when they stepped out for kick-off. Team captain Victor Omune led them out with his chin up, shoulders high, and chest puffed out. Mashemeji derby debutant James Kinyanjui was the last AFC Leopards player out of the tunnel but the stage did not faze him. He was smiling and pointing to the sky in prayer, perhaps saying, “This is the day the Lord has made.”
Bryton Onyona (right) of Gor Mahia tussles for the ball with Emmanuel Lwangu of AFC Leopards during the Mashemeji derby at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on December 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
AFC Leopards received more affirmation for their urgency when Omune came face-to-face with Gor Mahia captain Austin Odhiambo during the coin toss. Omune came out tops in the pre-match coin flip, giving him the upper hand to decide whether his team should kick off the match or pick the goal they would attack in the first half. Omune went for the latter, hence allowing Gor Mahia to kick off the match and fall into the trap AFC Leopards had set for them. AFC Leopards pressed Gor Mahia aggressively from kick-off, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
“We had planned some strategies and tactics based on the outcome of the coin toss,” Ambani later told Nation Sport.
AFC Leopards fans cheer their team during the Mashemeji derby at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on December 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“Since we had planned to start the match defending with a high-line, I had advised Omune to insist that we start the match by defending the goal nearest to our technical bench. That made it easy for me and my assistants to communicate with our defence and monitor their on-and-off ball positions,” Ambani added.
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
AFC Leopards’ tenacious pressing in the first half allowed them to win the ball deep in Gor Mahia’s half, and Julius Masaba’s 25th-minute goal resulted from such efforts. Gor surrendered possession with a series of weak clearances and interceptions made while under pressure, making for ping-pong play between the two teams as AFC Leopards advanced deeper into their opponents’ territory.
Eventually, a weak clearance by Mike Kibwage while under pressure from Omune saw the ball rolling to Tyson Otieno. Otieno set himself up for a shot on goal, which forced a save from Byrne Omondi. Omondi parried the ball back to play, creating a moment that saw Gor Mahia finally pay for their lack of aggression in winning second balls.
Masaba, who was stalking Paul Ochuoga throughout that play, reacted quickly to flick the rebound into the net for his first goal of the season, leaving Ochuoga sprawling on the ground in his botched attempt to clear the ball.
Ambani further explained the importance of AFC Leopards winning the coin toss and selecting to attack a goal that benefited their game plan.
“In the first half, we were attacking Gor while facing our fans. That gave us motivation. In the second half, we had them behind us, cheering us on to secure a win,” Ambani said. He admitted that Gor also played the match in similar circumstances, but attributed AFC Leopards’ success to them having made the most out of the two situations than their opponents.
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
The victory further cemented Ambani’s legacy in the Mashemeji derby, extending his unbeaten record against Gor Mahia to five matches (two as a player and three as a coach).
