Coach Muyoti urges badly bruised AFC Leopards to regroup ahead of Mashemeji Derby
Kenya Police FC head coach Nicholas Muyoti has expressed sympathy for his former side, AFC Leopards, following their 3-0 defeat to his side in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, April 18, 2026, while urging them to regroup ahead of the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby involving bitter rivals and closest title challengers, Gor Mahia.
Muyoti sorry for Ingwe
Speaking after the match, Muyoti admitted that the result left him with mixed emotions due to his strong ties with AFC Leopards, a club where he enjoyed memorable years during his playing career.
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He acknowledged that the loss comes at a critical moment in the season, with Leopards still battling for the league title.
“Yes, AFC Leopards was my club during my hey days and I feel bad for them today because I think they are chasing the title and this is a big setback for them. I just hope that they pick themselves up in the derby,” Nicholas Muyoti said in post-match reactions.
Despite guiding his current side, Kenya Police FC, to a convincing victory, Muyoti maintained a sense of empathy toward Leopards, recognising the psychological impact such a heavy defeat can have, especially with the pressure of a title race intensifying.
Blow in title race
Placed second on the log with 55 points, two behind leaders Gor Mahia, the loss significantly dents AFC Leopards’ title ambitions, as they now risk falling further behind league leaders Gor Mahia. Should K’Ogalo secure victory in their upcoming fixture against Bandari FC on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Kasarani Stadium, AFC Leopards could find themselves trailing by five points, a gap that may prove difficult to close in the closing stages of the season.
Attention now shifts to the Mashemeji Derby slated for Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium, one of Kenyan football’s most fiercely contested fixtures, where AFC Leopards will be under pressure to bounce back and keep their title hopes alive.
For Muyoti, while the victory was important for the defending champions, Kenya Police FC, his words reflected respect and concern for a club that still holds a special place in his football journey during his early playing days and starting points of hos coaching career.
