AFC Leopards Extend Unbeaten Run to 14 Matches After Dominant Win Over Mathare United

Ingwe continued their sparkling league form, extending their unbeaten run to 14 matches after another composed and dominant home performance.

AFC Leopards extended their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 SportPesa Premier League season with a convincing 2–0 victory over Mathare United at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

Goals from Vincent Mahiga and James Kinyajui ensured Ingwe maintained their flawless form in front of their home supporters.

The result sees AFC Leopards stretch their unbeaten streak to 14 matches, a streak that dates back to their 1–0 defeat to Posta Rangers on April 18 last season, further cementing their reputation as one of the league’s most consistent sides this campaign.

Mathare United, on the other hand, struggled to match the intensity of the hosts and were condemned to their fourth defeat of the season. 

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Possession was evenly shared in the opening 45 minutes, though AFC Leopards carried the greater attacking threat early on. 

The hosts came close in the 10th minute when Kelly Madada unleashed a powerful first-time strike from outside the box that ricocheted off the upright in  a real let-off for Mathare goalkeeper Kevin Ouru.

Leopards maintained their attacking pressure and four minutes later they nearly struck again. From a well-taken corner, the Mathare defence was caught momentarily flat-footed, but they were rescued by Sammy Imbuye, who read the danger well and cleared the ball decisively to deny a lurking Beja Hassan.

Mathare United, however, began to grow into the game midway through the half. Their first real opening came in the 24th minute when Elias Muriuki rose above his marker to glance a header just across the face of goal following a teasing cross from Mohamed Kilume.

Moments later, they won a free kick 30 yards out and  Elli Asieche stepped up to take it, but a deflection off the Leopards wall took the sting out of the shot, allowing goalkeeper Katasi Humphrey to collect comfortably.

The visitors continued to look dangerous on the break, with Brian Ouru and Ian Omondi combining neatly in midfield to stretch the Leopards defence.

 Just three minutes to  halftime approached, Herit Mungai pounced on a loose clearance after a corner, unleashing a low drive from the edge of the box that flashed narrowly wide of the post.

Despite a lively exchange of chances from both ends, neither side could find the breakthrough before the interval. The score remained 0–0 at halftime, setting the stage for an intriguing second period at Nyayo Stadium.

Ingwe came out for the second half with renewed purpose and were rewarded almost immediately. 

Two minutes after the restart, Kelly Madada weaved his way past Herit Mungai on the left flank before firing a powerful shot at goal. 

Kevin Ouru in the Mathare United goal managed to parry the effort, but the rebound fell kindly to Vincent Mahiga, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner for his first goal in AFC Leopards SC colours.

The goal sent the Leopards fans into jubilation, with the hosts finally taking the lead their early pressure had promised.

Mathare United looked to respond quickly  with Brian Ouru and Mohamed Kilume combining well in midfield to drive their side forward. However, the Leopards’ backline, marshalled by Bakari Randi and Kennedy Odhiambo remained composed under pressure.

In the 56th minute, Mathare United made four changes at once in search of an equaliser. Fidel Ochieng, James Kinyanjui, Okoth Emmanuel, and Collins Masika came on to replace Sammy Imbuye, Steve Kimari, Elli Asieche, and John Macharia, as coach John Kamau looked to inject fresh attacking energy. The substitutions gave the visitors more movement in the final third, but Humphrey Katasi was alert to deny any clear openings.

Leopards then responded with a triple substitution on the hour mark. David Koloti, Frank Sichenje, and Eugene Masaba replaced Kelvin Mugane, Kelly Madada, and Beja Hassan as coach Feed Amabani sought to solidify his side’s shape while maintaining attacking balance.

Mathare United nearly levelled the score moments later when Brian Ouru slipped a clever pass through to Ian Omondi, who turned neatly inside the box but blasted his effort narrowly over the crossbar with only Humphrey Katasi to beat.

Leopards, though, capitalised on a defensive lapse late in the game to double their advantage. In the 86th minute, Mathare United were punished after Francis Kayugi gave away possession cheaply inside his own half, allowing AFC Leopards to break with purpose. James Kinyanjui arrived perfectly to meet a low square ball from Frank Sichenje, calmly slotting past Kevin Ouru to make it 2–0 and seal the points for Ingwe.

The visitors struggled to find a response in the closing stages as Leopards controlled possession and slowed the tempo, their composure evident across the park. 

The hosts looked comfortable in the final minutes, closing out the match with authority to maintain their unbeaten league run and strengthen their position near the top of the SportPesa Premier League table.

How they lined-up:

AFC Leopards Starting XI: Katasi Humphrey, Nyongesa Brian, Mahiga Vincent, Bakari Randi, Odhiambo Kennedy, Oundo Mousa, Kinyanjui James, Kweyu Bonface, Muriuki Elias, Okonji Kelly, Beja Hassan 

Mathare United Starting XI: Kevin Ouru, Sammy Imbuye, Herit Mungai, Francis Kayugi, Ian Omondi, Peter Oudu, Mohamed Kilume, Brian Ouru, Steve Kimari, John Macharia, Elli Asieche