AFC Leopards’ impressive 14-match unbeaten run was snapped on Saturday after a dramatic 2-0 defeat to Mara Sugar in an FKF Premier League clash at the Awendo Green Stadium.
Ingwe, who had been eyeing a move to the top of the table, were undone by two late goals from Dennis Cheruiyot in the 88th and stoppage-time minutes, as Mara Sugar punished their wastefulness in front of goal.
The result was a bitter blow for Fred Ambani’s side, who had controlled much of the game but failed to turn possession into goals. Leopards missed several clear chances, including Kelly Madada’s long-range strike that sailed over the bar and Elias Mugane’s close-range effort that went wide. Mugane would later squander another opportunity just before halftime.
In the second half, Leopards continued to push for a breakthrough. James Kinyanjui’s corner in the 78th minute found Emmanuel Lwangu, whose header drifted inches wide. Substitute Victor Omune also came close moments later, but his header failed to find the target.
Those missed chances came back to haunt them. With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Mara Sugar capitalized on a lapse in concentration to score twice late on — Cheruiyot calmly slotting home both goals to secure only their second win of the season. The victory lifted the home side to seventh place with 10 points from seven matches.
Speaking after the match, AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani lamented the poor pitch conditions and injury troubles that had forced him to make tactical adjustments.
“It is what it is. We have to recover quickly and then focus on the next game,” Ambani said. “This ground was way too dilapidated for us to express ourselves. My team is also depleted through injuries, particularly in defence.”
Despite the frustration, Ambani chose to view the setback as a potential turning point.
“We got found out, but it’s not a bad situation because at times that works for us. It just was not our day — we were unlucky,” he added.
The defeat leaves AFC Leopards third in the FKF Premier League standings, two points behind second-placed Gor Mahia and leaders Kakamega Homeboyz, who still have a game in hand. Mara Sugar, meanwhile, will take heart from a resilient performance that ended one of the league’s longest unbeaten runs.
