AFC Leopards will be aiming to return to winning ways and extend their unbeaten streak when they host in-form Shabana FC in a highly anticipated FKF PL 24/25 match, set to take place at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, on Sunday evening.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 4:00 pm, will see Ingwe come off two consecutive draws. They were held to a goalless draw by Sofapaka at home before playing to another 0-0 stalemate with Police FC.
However, the 12-time top-flight champions are determined to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches while securing three points to maintain their pursuit of a top-four finish (currently sitting on 35 points), as well as reduce the points gap with league leaders Kenya Police (45).
Additionally, Fred Ambani’s side will be eager to end their dismal home form, having failed to secure a victory in their last four home fixtures (3D, 1L).
Their overall home performance has been underwhelming, earning only 16 points from 10 matches (4W, 4D, 2L).
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Yet, facing Shabana will not be an easy task.
The visitors are currently in excellent form, having gone unbeaten in their last four matches, including their FKF Cup tie.
Shabana, who are also targeting a top-four finish, currently occupy eighthplace on the table with 33 points.
They come into the match brimming with confidence after a 5-1 demolition of Plateich in the FKF Cup, following a 4-1 victory over Kakamega Homeboyz in a league match staged at Gusii Stadium.
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Shabana Players Optimism
Shabana FC player Justine Omwando is confident that they can secure all three points away, urging their fans to show up in full support.
“We’re going for maximum points tomorrow against AFC Leopards SC, and I encourage our fans to turn up in large numbers at Machakos Stadium to cheer us on,” Omwando said.
Newly signed Shabana player Keith Imbali echoed Omwando’s sentiments, expressing that the team’s loyal fanbase has given them the confidence to perform at their best.
It makes a big difference to have fans like we do. In the bad moments they help us and we always want to say thank you through what we do on the pitch and try to win the game for them. We play football for this. You play for the fans, you play for the good moments and you play for that feeling at the Stadium.
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AFC Leopards Secretary Concerned of the Venue choice
On the other hand, the hosts are dissatisfied with the decision to stage the match at Kenyatta Stadium.
Club Secretary Gilbert Andugu voiced concerns, stating that this is not the ideal venue for such a high-profile match considering the anticipated crowd size.
“We are hosting Shabana in Machakos but their fans alone will fill the stadium so where will our supporters sit?” Leopards secretary general Gilbert Andugu posed during an interview with Pulse Sports.
“We will be forced to limit the tickets and this will deny us massive revenue. This is also a high-risk match because the two clubs have a large support base.”
“They should have given us Nyayo Stadium because we want to avoid things like stampede and also ensure we sell as many tickets as possible.”
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Shabana holds the upper hand
Consequently, this promises to be a fiercely contested match, with both teams eager to close the gap on the league leaders.
Should Shabana win, they will leapfrog AFC Leopards into fifth place, while a victory for Ingwe will keep them in 5th, just one point behind KCB (38).
It’s worth noting that Peter Okidi’s side holds the upper hand, having triumphed 2-1 in the first leg at Gusii Stadium, with Brian Michira scoring a brace and Boniface Munyendo netting the solitary goal for Ingwe.
FKFPL Sunday Fixtures
Mara Sugar FC vs Bidco United – Awendo Green Stadium (2 PM)
AFC Leopards vs Shabana FC – Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos (4 PM)