By Anderson Ojwang
Twenty-eight years after they led AFC Leopards to the last Premier League title, the Ambani brothers – Fred and Boniface – are back with a mission.
A mission not only to win the Premier League but to checkmate reigning champions Gor Mahia’s dominance of the league and return the bragging rights to Ingwe.
For the Ambanis, the noisy Gor Mahia now have a date with Ingwe, who for seasons one after another had become points donors but are now rewriting the story.
The tip of the iceberg of the Ambanis’ master plan was witnessed during the last season, when AFC Leopards for the first time beat Gor Mahia.
The Ambanis won the first leg of the league against Gor Mahia, who had for over a decade tasted defeat at the hands of Ingwe, and that was a wake-up call.
K’Ogalo did not disappoint and in the return match revenged the earlier victory. But the rivalry was back.
Ambani has declared it was time to reclaim the lost glory and restore AFC Leopards to league winners.
“In conjunction with the entire NEC (SG, Tresh, CEO), Technical Bench, Players and Support staff, 12th Man (Our able fans), we are on course to restoring our lost glory and pride. We have taken the baby steps. We need all the support systems to work. Join the bandwagon. In God we Trust. The 2025/26 season was a litmus paper. 2026/27 will be better. Mungu mbele,” he wrote.
He said the AFC Leopards badge was the best honoured and must be hoisted higher.
“When I said respect the badge, this is what I meant. We do things with precision. Guard the badge. Legit… Respect. The CREST must be respected. I take things one at a time and to perfection,” said the chairman.
Movement
In the first year in office, the Ambanis revived the ailing Leopards from mid-table to finishing as runners-up.
Leopards scared Gor Mahia and gave them a run for their money, causing panic in the K’Ogalo den, with the fans demanding more from the players and coaching staff to produce results to secure the league.
At one point, Ingwe sat at the top of the log – no mean achievement – and Gor Mahia and other teams panicked.
“First 360 days in office, with a milestone. Setting the pace. The most attended AFC LEOPARDS AGM. The atmosphere was on another level. Ingwe fraternity, I salute you all wherever you are. Making the strides in the right direction. I loved the engagements. Once again my fellow members, asaaaanteni,” the chairman said.
1998
In 1998, when AFC Leopards last won the league, the two brothers were instrumental. Their partnership won the league for Ingwe.
The Ambani brothers – Fred and Boniface – won the 1998 Kenyan Premier League title as star strikers. Fred finished as the league joint top scorer with 14 goals, while Boniface finished close behind as runner-up in the Golden Boot race with 13 goals.
The powerful partnership on the pitch drove AFC Leopards to the domestic title.
The leadership and the bench
In 2025, Boniface was elected chairman and joined forces with his elder brother Fred as the head coach. The partnership is once again working and pushing Ingwe to glory.
Infrastructure and sponsorship
Boniface has not only been engaged with securing the Premier League but is building infrastructure that will ensure stability in the team.
He is also reaching out to the Luhya community leaders to be fully engaged in the development and growth of the club.
Recently, the team was in State House to meet with President William Ruto, where they walked home with a tray full of goodies.
Cabinet Secretary Wycliff Oparanya recently wrote: “Hosted AFC Leopards Chairman Boniface Ambani, who paid me a courtesy call at my office. As the new season approaches, we will continue going above and beyond to ensure Ingwe succeeds, competes at the highest level, and reclaims its lost glory.”
Ambani responded: “It was time to set records straight. CS Oparanya, shukraaaaani sana for your time. The club is always bigger than an individual… Thanks for your wiseness. My urge to Western leadership: it’s time to rally behind the club. AFC LEOPARDS SC.”
Goodies
President Ruto recently pledged a Sh35 million financial package and a state-backed training ground construction plan.
To kickstart this transformation, the President announced an immediate Sh10 million cash injection to bolster the club ahead of the 2026/27 season.
“You are entering into a new season. Therefore, you need to sign maybe more players from different places. I will give you Sh10 million. Out of that, Sh5 million will be used to sign new players while the other Sh5 million will go to the players so that they have something to take home,” Ruto explained.
Apart from the immediate cash injection, the President committed to a long-term Sh25 million annual sponsorship top-up.
This sustainable funding pledge will elevate the club’s current Sh75 million sponsorship portfolio to a huge boost of Sh100 million yearly kitty, giving ‘Ingwe’ the financial muscle to compete at the highest levels.
Training ground
After club officials revealed that AFC Leopards had secured a 15-year lease on land for a training facility, the Head of State immediately directed the Ministry of Sports to step in and fund the entire development.
“I am told you have secured a lease for your training ground. The Cabinet Secretary for Sports will provide the necessary resources, prepare a suitable design, and we will develop a proper training pitch for you,” he promised.
The bench
The team has embarked on strengthening the squad and the bench. The recent addition to the bench was Ben Mwalala Sichangi, aka Maasai.
“Welcome to the den. Your experience in the KPL as a player, and now as an established coach, adds a lot of value to the club. Let’s do this the way we used to do on the pitch. Karibu kijana as you join the technical bench. All I wanna wish you guys is the best of luck. Once more, karibu. Next season,” the chairman wrote.
Ambani said the team was looking forward to the new season and was happy with the developments.
“It’s boiling. The season is on… Boys, let’s go. Off to preseason camp. Wishing you all the best, young men,” he said.
