'Something to be proud of' - Fred Ambani satisfied as unbeaten individual record against Gor Mahia remains intact

AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani. ©AFC Leopards.

'Something to be proud of' - Fred Ambani satisfied as unbeaten individual record against Gor Mahia remains intact

Mark Kinyanjui 13:58 - 31.03.2025

Ambani's first Mashemeji Derby clash as AFC Leopards coach saw him maintain his unbeaten individiual record against Gor Mahia.

AFC Leopards head coach Fred Ambani has expressed a mix of pride and slight frustration following his team’s 0-0 draw against Gor Mahia in the 96th edition of the Mashemeji Derby at Nyayo National Stadium last Sunday.

The highly anticipated clash, played in front of a sold-out crowd, marked the 35th draw between the two eternal rivals. While it lacked goals, the contest delivered in intensity, with Ambani’s well-drilled defense and disciplined midfield nullifying Gor Mahia’s attacking threats.

Despite Gor Mahia’s strong form, Leopards stood firm, earning a valuable point that extended Ambani’s impressive personal record in the derby.

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 Notably, the tactician has never lost to K’Ogalo—both as a player and now as a coach. During his playing days for AFC Leopards between 1997 and 2001, Ambani never suffered defeat in the fixture, a legacy he continues to uphold from the dugout.

Speaking after the match, Ambani admitted to having mixed emotions. While he was delighted to maintain his unbeaten record, he would have preferred to walk away with all three points.

“It is something to be proud of,” Ambani remarked. “Although I wanted three points, getting one point is still a good thing, so I think it is a great achievement.”

Ambani also shed light on his defensive selections, particularly his decision to pair Randi Bakari and Kayci Odhiambo at center-back. 

Notably, Ken Owino—who arrived from Posta Rangers for a significant fee in January 2024—has been sidelined for the last three matches, while South Sudanese international Peter Mabok has also struggled for consistent game time.

“Ken Owino has not been playing for the last three games. We wanted to find a combination that works, and when mistakes happen, you need to find a solution. That’s why I wanted to have a look at Randi Bakari when he came back,” Ambani explained.

“Both he and Kayci had a good record together—almost 10 clean sheets—so I wanted to see if it would help us today. I’m proud that it worked.”

With Ambani’s unbeaten run against Gor Mahia still intact, the focus now shifts to maintaining consistency as AFC Leopards look to climb the league table in their pursuit of long-awaited glory.