AFC Leopards Intensify Pre-Season as Ambani Targets League Title

As the new football season approaches, AFC Leopards are intensifying their pre-season training, signaling a determined push for silverware. The club's head coach, Fred Ambani, has articulated a clear vision for a more robust campaign, building on the notable progress made in the previous season.

The 2025/26 SportPesa League season saw AFC Leopards secure a commendable second-place finish, accumulating 64 points. They concluded the campaign with a record of 19 wins, 7 draws, and 8 losses, scoring 44 goals and conceding 28. This placed them six points adrift of their long-standing rivals, champions Gor Mahia, but marked a significant improvement from prior seasons.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, Fred Ambani consistently exuded confidence in his team's potential to clinch the league title, a trophy that has eluded the club since 1998. His leadership was recognized when he was named the SportPesa League's Coach of the Month for December 2025. During that period, AFC Leopards enjoyed an unbeaten run, surged to the top of the standings with 30 points, and secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Gor Mahia. Ambani frequently highlighted the hard work, discipline, and commitment demonstrated by his players as foundational to their success.

Despite the strong performance, Ambani later identified a critical factor in their failure to secure the championship. "I think when we reflect on the season, the biggest gap between us and the champions was our inability to finish chances," Ambani stated. He elaborated, "There were games where we did everything right except putting the ball in the net. Honestly, that is where we lost valuable points across the campaign." While the team's overall structure and defensive solidity were praised, a lack of clinical finishing in decisive moments proved costly. Key attacking contributions came from Samuel Ssenyonjo, who netted seven league goals before an injury, alongside Kelly MadadaPlayer·Kelly Madada and VictorPlayer·Victor Omune, who each contributed four goals.

Beyond the pitch, AFC Leopards experienced a positive financial turnaround in 2025, reporting a surplus of Ksh16.23 million. This substantial improvement from the previous year's financial position allowed the club to clear historical debts and ensure timely salary payments, factors Ambani believed directly contributed to improved matchday performances. The club also began investing in operational infrastructure, including a dedicated training facility, underscoring a holistic approach to sustained success.

With these foundations in place, the focus now shifts to the upcoming season. The increased tempo in pre-season training reflects the club's ambition to build on their resilience and tactical improvements, aiming to bridge the gap and challenge for the SportPesa League title once more.