AFC Leopards secured a significant 2-0 victory against Mathare United on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. The win, their third in a row, catapulted the twelve-time Kenyan champions from sixth to third in the league standings with 12 points after six matches. The result also extends Ingwe's impressive unbeaten run to 14 matches, a streak dating back to the previous season.

The first half of the encounter was a tightly contested affair, with both teams struggling to create clear scoring opportunities, ending scoreless at the break. AFC Leopards' Kelly Madada had the most notable chance in the opening 45 minutes, striking the upright in the tenth minute.

Second-Half Goals Seal Victory

The deadlock was broken shortly after the restart. In the 48th minute, defender Vincent Mahiga scored his first goal for the club, capitalizing on a rebound after a powerful shot from Madada was parried by Mathare's goalkeeper, Kevin Ouru. This was Mahiga's first goal in three seasons and only his second ever for AFC Leopards.

The decisive second goal came late in the match. In the 85th minute, substitute Julius Masaba skillfully dribbled past several defenders before providing a perfectly weighted assist to James Kinyanjui. Kinyanjui, a former Mathare United player, calmly finished to score his first goal for AFC Leopards and secure the three points for his side.

Tactical Changes and Post-Match Reactions

Both managers made tactical adjustments during the second half. AFC Leopards' coach, Fred Ambani, introduced three substitutes on the hour mark, bringing on David Koloti, Frank Sichenje, and Julius Masaba, which injected fresh energy into the team's attack. Mathare United's coach, John Kamau, responded with four changes in the 56th minute in an attempt to find an equalizer.

Following the match, Mathare's coach John Kamau attributed the loss to a "lack of sharpness" and acknowledged the need for improvement in his team's transition play. He noted that the return of injured players like Musa Masika would bolster the squad. In a peculiar turn of events, AFC Leopards' coach Fred Ambani was prevented from giving a post-match interview by the club's secretary general, Isaac Mulindi.

League Implications

The victory continues a significant turnaround for AFC Leopards, who started the season with three consecutive draws, leading to some fan discontent. Their recent winning streak, which includes victories over KCB and Shabana, has firmly established them as title contenders. For Mathare United, the loss marks their third in four matches and sees them drop to 11th in the standings with seven points. The defeat was their fourth of the season. The league table remains tight at the top, with Kakamega Homeboyz leading, closely followed by Gor Mahia, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Ulinzi Stars on the same day.