- Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards will face off on Sunday, January 25, in Round 18 of the SportPesa League.
- The match will be staged at Kasarani Stadium, with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. EAT.
- The first-leg encounter between Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards ended in a 1–1 draw.
AFC Leopards visit Sofapaka on Sunday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, in what is expected to be a thrilling SportPesa League Round 18 encounter, with kick-off set for 4pm EAT.
The clash will see both sides pursuing distinct objectives: AFC Leopards remain in the title race, while Sofapaka are battling for survival as they languish in the relegation zone.
Ingwe head to Kasarani with one clear objective: collect all three points and draw level with Gor Mahia at the top of the table.
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Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards preview
Their arch-rivals extended the gap to three points on Saturday after staging an impressive comeback to defeat Bidco United 2–1.
In addition, Fred Ambani’s men require a substantial victory on Sunday to climb to the top, as the goal difference currently favors Gor Mahia.
The league leaders have scored 27 and conceded 12 this season, compared to Ingwe’s 22 scored and 11 conceded.
The 12-time SportPesa League champions head into this fixture buoyed by confidence following a dramatic comeback victory last weekend, where they edged APS Bomet 2–1 to register their third consecutive win.
Christopher Koloti came off the bench to cancel out Philip Wasasi’s opener at Nyayo Stadium before Ronald Sichenje struck deep into stoppage time to seal Ingwe’s ninth win of the campaign.
Everything appears to be falling into place for AFC Leopards as genuine title contenders this season an outlook that sharply contrasts with Sofapaka’s struggles, as the 2009 champions risk slipping into the second-tier National Super League if they fail to rediscover their form.
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Since their last win – a 2-0 result against Posta Rangers in November, Batoto ba Mungu have suffered a severe slump, managing only three points from three draws in their last nine matches, while losing the remaining six.
This poor run has left Ezekiel Akwana’s squad, who began the season brightly, stranded in 17th position with 14 points level with 18th-placed Kariobangi Sharks and one point behind both Bidco United and APS Bomet in 16th and 15th respectively.
At home, Sofapaka have won just once in nine matches, drawing four and losing four.
They now have no option but to fight for maximum points to return to winning ways, or risk further decline. Their most recent match ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Shabana FC at Gusii Stadium.
Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards team news
Speaking ahead of the encounter, Sofapaka coach Akwana acknowledged the challenge but emphasized his side’s determination.
“Playing AFC Leopards is never easy. The atmosphere alone can test you,” he said. “We have prepared well and the players are mentally ready. We are not going to Nairobi just to participate we are going there to compete and get a positive result. If we execute our plan, we can hurt them.”
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Meanwhile, Fred Ambani revealed after the comeback against APS Bomet that a tactical shift has been key to their recent successes.
“This season we have adopted a double-eight system, which allows our players to operate as dual tens in attack. This has improved our penetration into the final third and enhanced creativity, which has been effective for us,” Ambani explained.
The match will also see former AFC Leopards captain Clifton Miheso face his old side, having moved to Sofapakathis season, where he now wears the armband.
In the last five meetings between the sides, neither team has emerged victorious, with the spoils shared each time. The most recent win dates back to 2023, when Sofapaka triumphed 2-1.
This marks the second leg of this season’s fixture. The first leg at Ulinzi Sports Complex ended 1-1, with Satala Djafari giving Sofapaka the lead before Boniface Munyendo equalized in a match largely dominated by Ingwe.