Mathare United Coach Reveals What Cost His Charges Defeat to AFC Leopards at Nyayo Stadium

Mathare United head coach John Kamau has admitted that poor ball retention and vulnerability on the counterattack were decisive factors in their 2–0 defeat to AFC Leopards in the FKF Premier League clash played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Leopards continued their unbeaten start to the season with a dominant performance, courtesy of goals from James Kinyanjui and Vincent Mahiga, a result that propelled Fred Ambani’s side to third place on 13 points after six matches.

For Mathare, however, the afternoon highlighted familiar shortcomings. While the Slum Boys showed flashes of creativity and attacking intent, their inability to make possession count — particularly in the final third — proved costly against a well-drilled Leopards team.

After the match, the Mathare United tactician expressed mixed feelings about his side’s display to Azam TV, acknowledging both the progress made and the need for greater tactical discipline.

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“We have work to do, but I am happy they are expressing themselves well,” the coach said after the game. “When we get the likes of Masika (Musa) in good shape fitness-wise, we will be good.”

Mathare started brightly, pressing high and forcing AFC Leopards onto the back foot during the opening stages. Their best chance of the first half came when winger Fidel Ochieng’ drove down the right and delivered a teasing cross that narrowly missed its intended target.

Despite that encouraging spell, the coach noted that a lack of movement and precision in the attacking phase prevented his side from capitalizing on their early momentum.

“We are building up well,” he explained. “The opponent withdrew from his half during this game. We are creating chances, and we did in the first half from the right. For example, you saw Fidel (Otieno) try to make things happen, but we must work on our movement.”

The turning point came midway through the second half when Kinyanjui opened the scoring for Leopards with a composed finish — his first goal since joining from KCB. Minutes later, Victor Omune doubled the lead after a swift counterattack that exposed Mathare’s defensive shape.

The coach admitted that their struggles in possession contributed directly to the goals conceded.

“We are loose in possession in the final third, which exploits us on the counterattack,” he observed.

 “We have to work on that situation because we are vulnerable in transitional situations, like you saw against AFC Leopards who have very swift players on the counterattack.”

Despite the setback, Mathare United remain confident they can turn their season around, with the coach emphasising continued patience and improvement as the campaign progresses.