Ambani feeling heat as Bandari frustrate AFC Leopards' bid for first win of season
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 15.10.25. | 18:53
The Kasarani encounter marked the first league match for new Bandari coach Mohamed Borji
AFC Leopards’ search for a first win of the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season was once again frustrated after being held to a goalless draw by Bandari FC in one of Wednesday’s, 15 October mid-week fixtures.
The result saw Fred Ambani’s charges remain unbeaten but winless in three matches since the campaign kicked off on 20 September.
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The former league champions have now collected three points from as many outings.
On the other end, the draw marked Bandari’s new head coach Mohamed Borji’s first point in charge, with the coastal outfit moving to five points on the league table.
With mounting pressure to turn their form around, AFC Leopards started brightly and nearly went ahead within the opening ten minutes.
Tyson Otieno, formerly of Kenya Police, connected well to Samuel Sseeyonjo’s delivery but failed to convert from close range.
Moments later, the Ugandan forward Sseeyonjo came close himself after combining neatly with Otieno, but his curling effort whisked inches wide of the top corner.
Bandari gradually found their rhythm as the first half progressed.
Ugandan forward William Wadri tested Leopards’ goalkeeper Alain Ngeleka with a fierce drive after a fine build-up involving Amza Ngamchia, but the shot-stopper was equal to the task.
Moments later, Harambee Stars forward David Sakwa tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area, only for his attempt to be blocked by defender Kennedy Owino.
Leopards continued to threaten, particularly down the left flank through the lively Otieno, whose pin-point cross found Elias Mugane, who could not finish.
The opening half ended in a tense midfield battle, with neither side managing a breakthrough as they went into the interval tied at 0–0.
Leopards resumed the second half with renewed purpose.
Kelly Madada came close to breaking the deadlock after bursting through Bandari’s midfield, but his attempt rolled narrowly wide past the advancing Ngeleka.
Bandari responded with a chance of their own through Amza Ngamchia, who caused problems for Leopards’ backline but saw his volley drift wide of target.
Coach Ambani later introduced fresh legs in a bid to inject more attacking firepower and stability at the back.
Substitute Hassan Beja nearly made an instant impact after being set up by Madada, but his hurried effort lacked the power to trouble Ngeleka.
Twenty minutes from time, Bandari’s Clifford Otieno almost broke the deadlock when he pounced on a loose clearance and unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards out, but his effort flew narrowly wide.
Both teams pressed in the dying minutes, but neither could find a breakthrough as the match ended in a share of the spoils, extending Leopards’ winless run to three games.
Meanwhile, at the St. Sebastian Park, 2009 champions Sofapaka picked up their first victory of the season after edging hosts Murang’a Seal 2–1.
Debutant Adrian Oloo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Bramuel Simiyu doubled the advantage five minutes from time to seal the win.
Francis Memusi netted a late consolation for Murang’a Seal, but it win not enough to deny Batoto Ba Mungu their first win of the season.
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