Ambani defends AFC Leopards after BB Bread stunned Ingwe in dramatic cup upset
By Joel Masibo, February 9, 2026AFC Leopards Chairman Boniface Ambani has poured cold water on a shocking outcome, as the Regional League outfit BB Bread FC dumped the Football Kenya Federation Premier League bigwigs out of the FKF Cup at the very first stage at the Police Sacco Stadium on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Leopards, who have looked revitalised this season and are closely tracking Gor Mahia in the Kenya Premier League title chase, were left shell-shocked by a spirited performance from their lower-tier opponents.
Focusing on the league
Following the elimination from the Cup competition through post-match penalties, Ambani conceded defeat after Ingwe head coach Fred Ambani tweaked his starting line-up. After bowing out, Boniface Ambani said that AFC Leopards now shift focus to the league assignments, where the team is performing fairly. ”BB Bread, congratulations. That’s football. Focus shifts onto KPL,” he said via Facebook shortly after the match.
BB Bread wasted little time in asserting themselves, storming into a 2-0 advantage in the first half of the tie and leaving the top-flight side scrambling for answers.
However, coach Fred Ambani’s men showed resilience, with Kennedy Owino and James Kinyanjui each finding the net to drag Ingwe level and force the contest into penalties.
The shootout proved heartbreaking for the Leopards. Ajastine Okoba’s side held their composure, sealing a famous 4-3 victory after Owino blasted his effort over the crossbar, handing BB Bread one of the most memorable wins in recent FKF Cup history.
Between the posts for the giant killers was former Ingwe goalkeeper Ezekiel Owade, whose experience and calm presence inspired confidence at the back as BB Bread repelled relentless pressure from their more fancied opponents.
Double dream
Before the fixture, AFC Leopards Secretary General Isaac Mulindi had communicated the side’s intention of going for a double this season and returning to continental football next season.
”This weekend, we take a break from the Football Kenya Federation Premier League as we start our journey in the 2026 FKF Cup edition. As AFC Leopards SC, we are going for both cups this season – the domestic cup and the league,” Mulindi said on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
AFC Leopards will now regroup and prepare for a crunch league encounter against Bandari FC on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Mombasa.