- Mara Sugar stun AFC Leopards to hand them their first SportPesa League 2025/26 defeat.
- Dennis Cheruyiot came off the bench to score two goals on Saturday, November 8.
- The match was staged at the Awendo Green Stadium.
Dennis Cheruyiot emerged from the bench to score a brace for Mara Sugar, stunning AFC Leopards and ending their unbeaten SportPesa League run on Saturday afternoon at the Awendo Green Stadium.
Ingwe had not only gone six matches this season without tasting defeat but were also eyeing a 15-match unbeaten streak dating back to last season.
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However, their quest for a perfect record was halted by a resilient Sugar Millers side, who struck in the dying minutes despite AFC Leopards controlling the match for long periods.
The loss cost Ingwe a chance to claim the top spot for the first time this season.
While the defeat did not dislodge them from third place on the log, they remain with 12 points- two adrift of leaders Kakamega Homeboyz and one point behind Gor Mahia, though they still have a game in hand.
Mara Sugar stun AFC Leopards
The opening 20 minutes saw a balanced contest between the two sides. The visitors created their first chance in the 25th minute from a set-piece corner.
The lively Kelly Madada saw his shot deflected out for another corner, which ultimately came to nothing.
Just after the half-hour mark, Ingwe unleashed another promising attack. Madada linked up well with Elias Mugane, whose attempt was intercepted for a throw-in.
Mugane had another opportunity moment later, trying to find James Kinyanjui in the box, but his volleyed cross sailed off target.
Despite Ingwe’s dominance, they could not find the back of the net, while the Sugar Millers failed to register a single shot on target in a first half that ended goalless.
Leopards began the second half with the same energy and created a chance within two minutes of the restart.
Madada had an opportunity to make the difference but opted to cross to Kinyanjui, with the delivery again missing its mark.
This prompted the first change from Mara Sugar’s coach Manoah, who brought in Felix Opiyo for Mike Isabwa to sharpen their attack.
In response, AFC Leopards’ coach Fred Ambani made a double substitution in the 57th minute, introducing Kayci Odhiambo and Ronald Sichenje to bolster the wings.
The move injected fresh energy, with Sichenje immediately making runs down the flank.
Mara Sugar responded with a change of their own, introducing the eventual hero, Dennis Cheruyiot, for David Omondi, adding fresh legs to their lineup.
Despite Ingwe’s continued control and a squandered chance in the 85th minute, it was Mara who found the breakthrough in the 87th.
A free-kick near their final third was taken by Jimmy Owili, who delivered a volleyed cross into the box. Cheruyiot, completely unmarked, rose to head home late and give his team the lead.
Just as the visitors thought they might muster a comeback and snatch an equalizer, Cheruyiot once again caught them off guard.
Another defensive lapse, this time a mishandle from Julius Masaba, allowed the substitute to pounce on a cross from Katasi and slot it home.
The brace secured Mara Sugar their first home win and their second of the season, while handing Ingwe their maiden defeat of the campaign.
Mara Sugar vs AFC Leopards – SportPesa League Line Ups (Round 8)
- Mara Sugar: Evan Omondi, Joseph Okwenda, Drona Openda, Robinson Musugu, Jimmy Owili, Kevin Mwavali, David Owino, Brian Ochieng, Michael Isabwa, David Omondi, Timothy Ndayala.
- AFC Leopards: Humphrey Katasi, Brian Nyongesa, Emmanuel Lwangu, Ramy Coulibaly, Kennedy Odhiambo, Mousa Oundo, James Kinyanjui, Boniface Munyendo, Elias Muriuki, Kelly Madada, Hassan Kisau.