AFC Leopards’ in-form run in the Football Kenya Premier League came to a halt in Week 8 of the league after a 2-0 defeat against Mara Sugar this Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Awendo Green Stadium.

Substitute Dennis Cheruiyot scored twice in the final minutes to hand the hosts the priceless win.

The victory marked Mara Sugar’s first home win of the season as it snapped Leopards’ run of form, which had seen Fred Ambani’s charges go unbeaten for seven matches.

AFC Leopards slip to third place with 12 points, while Mara Sugar rises from 11th.

Unbeaten run

Leopards entered the tie seeking to stretch their unbeaten run to seven games and looked lively with Kelly Madada at the centre of most of their clear-cut chances.

The youngster’s clearest chance came from a 25th-minute corner, but his shot was parried out for a second corner.

Madada later saw his header veer off wide from a James Kinyanjui delivery minutes after the restart.

With a breakthrough after the restart, Ambani resorted to early changes by bringing on Kayci Odhiambo and Ronald Sichenje for Nhassan Beja and Madada.

Elusive lead

Ingwe thought they had gotten the elusive lead in the 78th minute when Emmanuel Lwangu’s header went inches wide of the post.

The striker failed to nod home from another of James Kinyanjui’s sublime deliveries.

Ezekiel Omune also had a shot, failing to find the target, as in a myriad of Ingwe’s offensive probes.

Just as the match seemed destined for a share of spoils, Mara Sugar’s second-half substitute, Cheruiyot, came up trumps to nod home the match opener with two minutes to go.

Man of the match

Cheruiyot completed his late brace, notching his second in added time to compound an unsuccessful trio by the visitors.

The attacker bagged the man of the match accolade after scoring from a couple of his shot attempts, having only managed three touches in the opposition box.

The win continued an unbeaten streak for Mara, who played Bandari to a draw in their previous tie.