- AFC Leopards’ title chase suffers blow after defeat to Mathare United in the SportPesa League Round 24 fixture.
- Mathare United came from behind to secure a 4–1 victory.
- The match was staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, March 14 2026.
Title chasing AFC Leopards stumbled, squandering their chance to close the gap on SportPesa League leaders Gor Mahia, as a resilient Mathare United came from behind to edge them 4-1 on Saturday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Ingwe looked largely blunt and fatigued throughout the game, despite enjoying a two-week break of the FKF Cup Round of 32. In contrast, Mathare maintained their discipline and control for the entire match.
It was a contest defined by the second half, after they played out a goalless first half. Victor Omune drew first blood for Ingwe, but it was Brian Ouru who managed to bag a brace, with Isaac Omweri netting the third goal while deep in the stoppage time, Ian Omondi smashed it home to seal the win for the John Kamau charges, who were desperate to return to winning ways.
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Fred Ambani’s boys arrived at this clash on the back of an emphatic 5-1 victory over Shabana two weeks ago, but they failed to replicate that display against the Slum boys.
And thus, the result leaves them stuck in second place on the log with 43 points, now seven points adrift of Gor Mahia, who sit comfortably at the summit with 50 points.
AFC Leopards’ title chase suffers blow after 4-1 defeat to Mathare United
The opening exchanges were cagey, with Mathare United holding their shape well in midfield, refusing to allow Ingwe the space to dominate an area they have often controlled this season.
In the 13th minute, AFC Leopards Captain Victor Omune glided past his marker on the right before whipping in a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded Tyson Otieno’s head.
Otieno then came close again moments later when Alushula delivered a low cross into his path. His initial shot was parried by goalkeeper Kevin Ouru, but the rebound fell kindly only for the follow-up to be brilliantly blocked.
Mathare, patient and poised on the counter, carved out an opportunity of their own in the 21st minute.
Mark Makwata outfoxed his marker on the left and delivered a teasing low cross that Ouru could nopt quite connect. The ball broke to Elli Asieche, whose effort was smartly saved by James Ssetuba, leading to a corner that ultimately came to nothing.
In the closing stages of the first half, both sides created openings but failed to make them count. Mathare had perhaps the clearer chances, but Ingwe looked alarmingly sluggish and tired.
The second half kicked off in similar fashion, though Fred Ambani acted swiftly by introducing Kennedy Owino in defence, replacing Emmanuel Lwangu, who had struggled in the opening 45 minutes.
Ten minutes into the half, Ingwe began to show signs of life. A delivery from James Kinyanjui found Tyson Otieno, whose shot was blocked by the Mathare defense. The rebound fell to Omune, who fired goal ward from close range, only to be denied again.
Three minutes later, Omune made amends for his earlier misses. In the 58th minute, Ronald Sichenje cleverly outmaneuvered Hillary Kiprotich on the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross that met the run of his captain, who calmly swept the ball into the net to break the deadlock.
Mathare United, however, refused to wilt. They had dominated proceedings for much of the match, and their persistence paid off in the 75th minute.
Super-sub Paul Kinyanjui delivered a precise cross from the right wing, and Brian Ouru was perfectly positioned to bundle the ball home and restore parity.
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Six minutes later, Mathare signaled their hunger for more. Omweri laid the ball off superbly for Ouru, who found himself one-on-one with Ssetiuba. The forward kept his composure and slotted home to give his side the lead.
As the match crept into stoppage time, Mathare continued to press. From a well-worked corner, Omweri picked up possession on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful shot that sailed past a static Ingwe defence.
A minute before the final whistle, Ian Omondi added gloss to the scoreline, tapping in from another dangerous cross as Ingwe’s backline stood helpless.
It was a defensive collapse that summed up a frustrating afternoon for the Leopards one that has surely dented their title ambitions.
Mathare United vs AFC Leopards – SportPesa League Round 24 Lineups
- Mathare United: Kevin Ouru, Brian Ouru, Brian Ochieng’, Hillary Kiprotich, John Makwata, Francis Kayugi, Benson Shikutwa, Ian Omondi, Isaac Omweri, Ellie Asieche, Musa Masiika.
- AFC Leopards: James Ssetuba, Fredrick Alushula, Randi Bakari, Emmanuel Lwangu, Samuel Semo, Mousa Oundo, Tyson Otieno, Kelly Madada, James Kinyanjui, Victor Omune, Ronald Sichenje.