'We are going for the league title' - AFC Leopards coach after Mashemeji Derby victory
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 08.12.25. | 19:25
Apart from the bragging rights, the win also ensured that Leopards got back to winning ways, ending their three-match winless streak
AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani secured his first Mashemeji Derby victory after outplaying their arch-rivals Gor Mahia in an FKF Premier League clash staged on Sunday, 7 December at the Nyayo National Stadium.
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Ingwe defied all odds, including their poor recent run and K’Ogalo’s impressive start to the season, to secure a 1-0 win courtesy of a 26th-minute strike by Julius Masaba.
Apart from the bragging rights, the win also ensured that Leopards got back to winning ways, ending their three-match winless streak.
In his post-match press conference, Ambani disclosed the game plan that augmented his burgeoning reputation in the Mashemeji Derby, where he has never been on the losing side as both player and coach.
“Looking at my team and the game, I realised we needed experienced players, and that is why I went for the likes of Masaba, Kinyanjui (James) and Tyson (Otieno). All that was in search of experience,” said Ambani.
“Because I had never lost to Gor Mahia, I wanted to make it better by getting a win as the others ended in a draw.
In doing so, I also needed players who have the frame of doing so, and I believed the experienced lads would do it,” he added.
The former Wazito FC tactician also explained why Leopards made defensive changes in the second half, bringing on Ken Owino for Kayci Odhiambo, who started in defense and Emmanuel Lwangu for Brian Ojok, who is in his debut FKF Premier League season.
“I knew they would come at us after the goal, and so we had to set up a solid defensive line, which also informed the bringing in Emmanuel for Ojok as Gor had started using that channel,” he stated.
With the win, Leopards moved to sixth on the log with 17 points, three shy of league leaders Kenya Police FC and Ambani says they are out to end what would be a 28-year wait for the league title.
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"We are going for the league title. If you look at the way we played, it was like a team going for the title. For us to win the league, we have to defeat every team that is above us on the log, and after this, we are going for all the other teams above us.”
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