AFC Leopards coach reveals inspiration to beat Gor Mahia in derby

AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani has revealed what he will use as an inspiration to help seal a double over their rivals Gor Mahia when they face off in an FKF Premier League Mashemeji derby at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

The fixture, which will be the 99th derby between Kenya’s top giants, will see Gor Mahia open a five-point gap at the top of the 18-team league table if they manage to win.

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟗𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐣𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐲

🆚 Gor Mahia FC
🏟️ Nyayo Stadium
⏰ 3.00pm
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— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) April 26, 2026

However, should AFC Leopards beat their sworn rivals, they will not only move above them, but will have completed a memorable double over the nemesis.

Derby has come at the right time

“The derby has come at a time when it is a very important match and with the potential to decide the direction of the league,” said Ambani ahead of the game.

“I have prepared the players to know that the last time the team won the league was in 1998, and as someone who was part of the team, I am proud of it.

“It is now their (players’) turn to be part of history by winning the league, and so looking at it from that perspective helps them to recognise how important this game will be to them.”

On how important a win will be to AFC Leopards, Ambani said: “A win in the derby would also give us a good direction and the mentality to know that it is possible and stay positive.

“I am glad the players are taking it positively, at least according to how they train, despite coming from a loss. We are preparing the team mentally, just as we are also doing physically and tactically.”

AFC Leopards keen to seal season double

Gor Mahia will be seeking to overturn the first-round defeat which saw AFC Leopards emerge 1-0 winners.

Last season, the first-round meeting between the two giants ended in a 0-0 draw before the return fixture produced a 1-1 draw. However, during the 2024-25 campaign, Gor Mahia went home smiling after sealing a double over their rivals.

With five matches remaining to conclude the season, Gor Mahia are currently leading the pile with 58 points, two more than second-placed AFC Leopards.

Gor Mahia have registered 17 wins, seven draws, and four defeats, while AFC, under coach Fred Ambani, have managed 16 wins, seven draws, and suffered five defeats.