NAIROBI, KENYA — Kariobangi Sharks' battle for survival in the 2025/26 FKF Premier League has become as much a mental challenge as a tactical one, assistant coach Edwin Seda stated, following a 1–1 draw with AFC Leopards on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The result extended the club's winless streak to five games and left them 17th in the 18-team league standings, with just seven points from nine matches.

Sharks began the match brightly, taking an unexpected lead against the run of play in the eighth minute. Midfielder Humphrey Aroko capitalized on a defensive lapse by AFC Leopards' Randi Bakari and Vincent Mahiga, breaking through to score past goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi. However, the team's inability to hold onto a lead, a recurring issue this season, came back to haunt them. AFC Leopards, despite their own recent struggles and a three-match winless run, found an equalizer in the 61st minute when captain Victor Omune headed in a rebound from a free-kick.

Speaking after the match, Seda, who is deputizing for head coach William Muluya currently on international duty with the Junior Stars, admitted the team's problems run deeper than on-field strategy. “We have had some slight defensive lapses... but beyond tactics and injuries, mentality is Sharks’ biggest hurdle,” Seda explained. He pointed to the psychological impact of their precarious league position as a significant factor affecting player performance.

The team's strategic balance was severely disrupted by an injury to goal-scorer Aroko, who was forced off in the second half. “His injury affected our style because his ball retention and ability to release the two number 10s was very efficient. When he went out, the link-up play disappeared,” Seda told reporters on Monday, November 24. This forced a tactical shift to a more direct approach with an out-and-out striker, which proved less effective against a determined Leopards side.

A Season of Frustration

The draw provided little relief for Sharks, who have managed only a single victory all season. Their campaign has been characterized by an inability to convert opportunities and a vulnerability to conceding crucial goals. This pattern was evident in previous matches, including a 1-0 defeat to KCB in late September, where despite dominating possession, they failed to score. The sentiment in the Sharks' camp is one of frustration, with Seda remarking that Leopards were “lucky to get a draw,” believing his side had a superior game plan that was ultimately undone by the injury and a lapse in concentration.

For AFC Leopards, the result was also a setback, denting their title aspirations and leaving them in third place with 14 points, five behind league leaders Gor Mahia. Leopards' head coach, Fred Ambani, expressed his own frustrations, particularly with the match officiating, but acknowledged his team's need to improve concentration. The pressure is mounting on *Ingwe* as they prepare for the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby against their arch-rivals on November 30.

The Kenyan Context: A Relegation Battle Looms

Kariobangi Sharks' predicament highlights the intense competition in the bottom half of the FKF Premier League table. With only seven points, they are firmly in a relegation battle, a stark contrast to their ambitions at the start of the season. The psychological toll of such a position can be immense, creating a cycle of pressure and poor results that is difficult to break. As the season progresses, the ability of Coach Muluya, upon his return, and his technical bench to restore confidence and mental fortitude within the squad will be just as critical as any tactical adjustments. The club's survival in Kenya's top flight may well depend on their ability to win this internal, psychological battle before they can secure victories on the pitch.