AFC Leopards Put Gor Mahia and Co on Notice with Win Over Uganda's 13-Time Champions

AFC Leopards beat Uganda's Kampala Capital City Authority FC FC 1–0 in a pre-season friendly match at Nyayo Stadium, laying down a clear marker for the upcoming campaign.

Coming off an impressive 2025/26 campaign where they finished second in the FKF Premier League, Ingwe are eager to go one step further and mount an even stronger title push this time around.

On their part, KCCA FC are also entering the new campaign as runners-up in the Uganda Premier League, having pushed champions Vipers SC all the way with 19 wins and 62 points in the 2025/26 season.

AFC Leopards and KCCA displayed incredible energy from the very first whistle, looking to assert their dominance early on.

AFC Leopards quickly established themselves as the most dominant side of the half, controlling long stretches of possession and dictating the overall tempo.

They also controlled play through the middle, pinning KCCA back into their own half for extended spells. Tyson Otieno was exceptional in midfield, breaking up opposition plays and dictating the tempo with his accurate passing.

Up front, Samuel Ssenyonjo proved to be a constant menace, putting heavy pressure on his former club's backline.

James Kinyanjui also delivered a standout performance, constantly troubling the defence with his sharp movement and clever positioning.

A string of tactical challenges continually disrupted the flow of the game, forcing the referee to intervene frequently. For most of the half, KCCA defended well to ensure that AFC Leopards' dominance yielded no reward.

However, the pressure finally paid off deep into stoppage time when Kinyanjui found the breakthrough.

The winger struck cleanly in added time to give his team a well-deserved lead, sending AFC Leopards into the halftime break with a 1–0 advantage.

AFC Leopards maintained their momentum after the break, picking up right where they left off and continuing as the more dominant team on the pitch.

Ingwe repeatedly carved out promising scoring opportunities to double their lead, keeping the KCCA backline under constant pressure.

However, KCCA responded by significantly tightening their defensive structure in the second period, making timely blocks and interceptions to deny the hosts a second goal.

Determined to find an equaliser, KCCA pushed forward, but their attacking play lacked the composure needed to break down a resolute AFC Leopards defence.

The Ugandan side struggled to build fluid momentum, frequently turning over possession through rushed and blind passes in the final third.

Every time KCCA attempted to mount a serious threat, their attack fizzled out before testing the goalkeeper.

AFC Leopards comfortably managed the tempo in the closing stages, neutralising KCCA’s desperate efforts to secure a late comeback.

Ultimately, neither side could alter the scoreline in the second 45 minutes, allowing AFC Leopards to hold onto their first-half advantage and lock in a 1–0 victory.