AFC Leopards’ Ambani encourages Mathare United’s Mokaya after difficult FKF PL encounter with Shabana
By Joel Masibo, February 26, 2026AFC Leopards chairman Boniface Ambani has rallied behind young Mathare United midfielder Daglas Mokaya, urging him to remain strong and focused following a difficult outing against his former club, Shabana FC, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Difficult moment
Mokaya endured a frustrating evening after being introduced in the 63rd minute by Mathare United head coach John Kamau during Wednesday’s FKF Premier League clash at Nyayo National Stadium. However.
The youngster was substituted just 18 minutes later, in the 81st minute, as Mathare fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat, a moment that visibly left him dejected.
Ambani, himself a former top-flight striker, offered words of encouragement, drawing from a similar experience during his playing days. He recalled being introduced as a substitute in the 86th minute during a match between Oserian Fastac and Ulinzi Stars, only to be withdrawn two minutes later without even touching the ball.
Despite the setback, Ambani said the episode strengthened him mentally and motivated him to work harder, eventually becoming one of the standout players at his club.
“Football makes you strong. Such moments can test your character, but they should never kill your morale,” Ambani noted. “The key is to stay mentally tough and focused. That experience pushed me to train harder and become better,” Ambani said on Thursday, February 26, 2025.
Having watched Mokaya’s reaction as he walked off the pitch, Ambani said he could sense the youngster’s frustration but encouraged him not to dwell on the moment. He urged Mokaya to remain disciplined, committed, and patient, assuring him that better days lie ahead.
Maintaining focus
“Stay focused. You’ll be the next hero in the coming matches,” Ambani advised. “You can either let such moments break you or use them as fuel to grow. I chose to stay and fight, and it made me stronger,” he added.
Ambani also called on coaches to exercise caution when handling young players, emphasising the importance of nurturing their confidence, especially in challenging situations. He noted that while coaches demand the best from players, they also bear responsibility in managing and developing talents sensitively.
It was Daglas Mokaya’s first match against his immediate former club, Shabana, following the January transfer window.
Shabana FC secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over the 2008 champions after scoring deep into stoppage time. The tightly contested match appeared headed for a goalless draw before Shabana’s George Onyango struck in the 90+8th minute, breaking Mathare United hearts and handing the Glamour Boys a crucial away win.