AFC Leopards revive FKF Premier League title hopes with win

AFC Leopards stayed on course to challenge rivals Gor Mahia for the FKF Premier League title after they defeated Mara Sugar 2-1 to close in on the gap on Saturday.

Ingwe were playing for the first time since they lost 1-0 against Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji derby on Sunday, April 26. Their game against Ulinzi Stars which was slated for the past weekend was postponed to allow the soldiers play their FKF Cup fixture. betsport.cv

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With AFC not playing, Gor Mahia took the advantage to move nine points clear at the top of the 18-team Premier League table following their 1-0 win against Kakamega Homeboyz at Mumias Complex last Sunday.

Leopards looked the better side

However, AFC Leopards returned to action on Saturday and they secured a vital win which helped them to cut Gor Mahia’s lead to six points. Despite reducing the lead, Gor Mahia still have a game in hand against Kenya Police FC.

Against Mara Sugar, Leopards looked the better side with James Kinyanjui missing a host of chances. However, Leopards managed to take the lead in the 23th minute when Kinyanjui’s pass found Hassan Beja, who fired home from close range.

The lead saw Leopards under coach Fred Ambani continue to search for more and they missed another great opportunity when Kinyanjui saw his left-footed effort go inches wide.

However, Mara Sugar levelled the scores from the penalty spot. The advancing Dennis Cheruiyot was fouled by Kayci Odhiambo and captain Daniel Openda stepped up to level the scores, and it was game on.

The two sides went into the half-time break tied at 1-1. At the start of the second period, it was Leopards, who started the strongest side once again.

However, they had to wait until the 78th minute when Omune pounced onto a rebound ball to find the back of the net. The victory saw Leopards add their point tally 58 from 17 wins, seven draws, and six defeats.

AFC Leopards have three matches to conclude the season against Homeboyz, APS Bomet, and Bidco United.

FKF Premier League results;

AFC Leopards 2-1 Mara Sugar
Shabana 0-0 Ulinzi Stars

Monday;
Posta Rangers vs Sofapaka

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has set the stage for an explosive CAF Champions League final, trading post-match celebrations for a pointed attack on football authorities and a damaging espionage allegation against opponents AS FAR.

Fresh off a chaotic 7-4 demolition of Siwelele FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night, the Portuguese tactician used his media platform to vent frustrations over a perceived lack of support, while claiming his Moroccan rivals have been handed an unfair tactical advantage.

‘We Don’t Feel Any Support’

Despite the high-scoring victory, Cardoso’s focus was firmly on the looming continental showpiece. He expressed deep dissatisfaction with the domestic scheduling, suggesting that the Masandawana camp feels isolated in their pursuit of African glory.

“We are in a very uncomfortable situation,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV. “In four days, we will be playing one of the most important games in the life of a player, a coach, or a club, and we don’t feel any support for it.”

Cardoso Claims ASFAR Received Leaked Sundowns Footage

The most startling moment of the interview came when Cardoso alleged that ASFAR had been provided with specialised tactical footage of Sundowns’ recent clash against Kaizer Chiefs.

Cardoso was remarkably specific, claiming the footage was delivered just 24 hours after the Chiefs game.

“I know that ASFAR, the day after we played Kaizer Chiefs, had a wide-angled video from our game… delivered,” Cardoso stated defiantly. “I know because someone saw. We are fighting against a lot of things, but we are strong enough to deal with everything.”

Drawing a sharp contrast to his debut season—where he famously predicted a title win under any circumstances—Cardoso characterised the 2025/26 campaign as a brutal test of resilience.

“Last year was completely different. This season has been a walk in the park for some of our opponents. We have been fighting like big, big men with a lot of commitment to overcome difficulties,” he added.

Despite the siege mentality, the Sundowns coach heaped praise on his squad’s character ahead of the final: “I feel privileged to be the coach of this group. They are magnificent and find energy when there is nothing left. I am proud of that.”

The two-legged Champions League final for African supremacy begins in Tshwane on Sunday, 17 May, before moving to Rabat for the decisive return leg on Sunday, 24 May.

L’USM Alger a pris un léger avantage dans la finale de la Coupe de la Confédération de la CAF en s’imposant 1-0 face au Zamalek SC lors du match aller disputé au Stade du 5 Juillet. Un penalty transformé par Ahmed Khaldi dans les arrêts de jeu, suite à une intervention du VAR, a scellé la victoire des Algériens.

Devant leur public, les Usmistes ont multiplié les offensives mais ont peiné à se montrer réellement dangereux face à une défense égyptienne bien organisée. Le gardien El Mahdi Soliman n’a quasiment pas été mis en danger. De leur côté, les visiteurs ont eu des opportunités en contre-attaque, notamment par Chico Banza dont les centres n’ont pas trouvé Oday Dabbagh. La mi-temps est intervenue sur un score vierge (0-0).

Khaldi’s perfect finish from the spot. #TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/XhMDzvbi2D

— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC (@CAFCLCC) May 9, 2026

La seconde période a longtemps suivi le même scénario, domination territoriale de l’USM Alger sans concrétisation. Puis, dans les dernières minutes, le scénario s’est emballé. Zamalek SC d’Égypte a cru ouvrir le score sur une contre-attaque conclue par Juan Alvina. Mais la VAR a signalé une faute sur Hossam Abdelmaguid dans la surface adverse, annulant le but égyptien et accordant un penalty aux Algériens. Ahmed Khaldi n’a pas tremblé, il a mis le ballon dans la lucarne, offrant un avantage précieux à son équipe à la 90+ème minute.

Match Highlights:

Khaldi’s injury-time penalty gave USM Alger a 1-0 advantage over Zamalek SC. #TotalEnergiesCAFCC pic.twitter.com/erw4bPEgwk

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— TotalEnergies CAFCL & CAFCC (@CAFCLCC) May 9, 2026

Avec cette courte victoire 1-0, l’USM Alger se présente en position de force pour le match retour prévu le 16 mai au Caire. Zamalek, habitué des grandes remontées, tente de renverser la tendance à domicile face à une défense de l’USM Alger réputée solide.

A tentative timeline has been set for Ethan Hooker’s return to the Springboks following surgery to his injured shoulder.

According to Rapport, Hooker will definitely miss the Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales in July, but is targeting the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on 22 August.

The 23-year-old Sharks star had surgery two and a half weeks ago after dislocating his shoulder in a Vodacom URC clash against the Ospreys last month. He is expected to be out for around 10 weeks.

MAG FEATURE: Hooker built for Test rugby

Hooker suffered the injury after Ospreys wing Luke Morgan dived onto him after he had already scored a try.

The Sharks requested an investigation into the incident, but the citing commissioner ruled that Morgan’s actions did not warrant a yellow or red card.

GENIA: Japan stint sharpening Libbok for Boks

Hooker enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season with the Springboks, earning eight Test caps after making his debut off the bench against Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last July.

His impressive form saw him named SA Rugby Young Player of the Year, while he was also nominated for the World Rugby Young Player of the Year award.

FULL STORY

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

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