AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has called on fans to exercise patience with the team after their 1-1 draw against Sofapaka in their opening fixture of the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
The game began on a tough note for Ingwe, with Sofapaka’s Satala Djafari striking just five minutes into the clash. However, Leopards responded quickly as Boniface Kweyu netted the equaliser, ensuring both sides shared the spoils. The result extended Leopards’ poor run against Sofapaka, as they remain winless in their last 11 meetings since 2020.
Speaking after the match, Ambani acknowledged his side’s slow start but praised the players for showing character and recovering to secure a point.
“We didn’t start well, conceding so early disrupted our plans,” Ambani said. “But credit goes to the players for recollecting themselves and getting back into the game. It’s not the result we expected, but at least we walk away with something. We just need patience. This team has quality and, with time, the players will blend better.”
The coach emphasized that many of the squad’s new signings are still adjusting to the team’s style of play. He urged fans to give the players time, insisting that the squad has the potential to grow stronger as the season progresses.
Leopards will now have a two-week break before their next league outing, a period Ambani views as vital for team development. “The break is very important. It gives us time to work closely with the new players and help them settle in. It also allows us to address the mistakes we saw today and improve before the next match. Step by step, we’ll get stronger,” he explained.
The club confirmed that their scheduled fixture against Nairobi United will not take place this week. This is because Nairobi United will be involved in continental action against Uganda’s NEC FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.
Leopards are now set to return to action on Friday, October 3, against Posta Rangers, who began their season with a 2-1 victory over Mathare United. The venue for the clash will be confirmed in the coming days.
Ambani remains optimistic that Ingwe will find their rhythm soon and deliver the results their passionate fans are yearning for.
