AFC Leopards is set to benefit from a substantial upgrade to its training ground in Karen, a development initiated by a directive from President William Ruto in July 2026. The Kenyan government has committed KSh 35 million to support the club, with a significant portion allocated to the rehabilitation of this crucial facility.
Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya underscored that this intervention is part of a broader government strategy. The aim is to address historical neglect in sports infrastructure across the nation and to establish modern facilities capable of nurturing Kenyan talent. The training ground, located at the Karen Technical Institute for the Deaf and leased for 15 years, is expected to undergo extensive improvements. These enhancements will include upgrades to the playing surface, irrigation systems, drainage, security measures, and other essential training amenities.
For head coach Fred Ambani, the dedicated training facility represents a pivotal step forward. He highlighted that having their own modern ground will significantly reduce operational costs for the club and streamline daily training programs, fostering a more consistent and professional environment for the squad.
This infrastructure boost arrives as AFC Leopards reflects on a competitive, yet ultimately unfulfilled, 2025/26 Kenyan Premier League season. The club secured second place, accumulating 64 points, six points adrift of champions Gor Mahia in a tightly contested title race. Their performance was marked by 17 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses, placing them second out of 21 teams and scoring a total of 38 goals throughout the campaign.
Despite a solid foundation, Coach Ambani openly admitted that poor finishing proved to be the primary obstacle to securing the SportPesa League title. "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 further elaborated on the team's struggles in front of goal: "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." Ambani emphasized that improving the attacking output would be the club's main priority in the upcoming transfer window, asserting, "That attacking department must be upgraded if we are serious about winning titles."
While their league campaign showed strong contention, AFC Leopards experienced less success in cup competitions during the 2025/26 season. They faced an early exit from the ODM@20 tournament, a second-round elimination by Mara Sugar FC, and a surprising defeat in the round of 64 of the Mozzart Bet Cup after losing on penalties to lower-tier side BB Bread. The club is now undergoing structural changes and a squad rebuild, with a clear focus on addressing the attacking weaknesses identified by Coach Ambani as they prepare for the 2026/27 season.
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