By Amanda Damaris
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani has been named Betika/SJAK Coach of the Month for December 2025. Ambani guided Leopards to the top of the SportPesa League after 14 rounds of the 2025-2026 season. In the month, the ex-Ingwe player guided Leopards to three wins and a draw. In fact, Ambani silenced his critics when he took the Mashemeji Derby bragging rights when they stunned favorites Gor Mahia 1-0.
Other wins included 2-1 win over Ulinzi Stars and a narrow 1-0 victory over Bidco United. Ingwe only dropped points against defending champions Kenya Police when they shared points after a 0-0 stalemate. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Betika Marketing Executive Ms. Marya Wachira congratulated Coach Ambani while noting the immense pride especially following the win for what is arguably Kenya’s biggest football derby.
“At Betika we are very proud of Ambani for taking home the December 2025 award, it is no mean feat especially noting that he emerged victorious in the Country’s most significant football derby and therefore we take this opportunity to celebrate with him and recognize his efforts and urge him to produce more upsets moving forward.” noted Ms. Marya.
Other nominees were National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) handball coach Bryan Mathews for helping his side to sit top of the Kenya Handball Federation league table by winning against Kisiwa National Polytechnic and Equity. The 3×3 basketball team coach Zadock Adika was also on the mix after claiming bronze at the FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup 2025 in Madagascar. Kenyan coach for the Africa Youth Championships, Victor Ng’ani was also nominated after guiding the squad onto to the top of table with four gold, two silver and four bronze medals. Team Kenya coach to the 2025 Africa Youth Championships, Evans Owino was also nominated having overseen the national team’s overall seventh finish in Angola. DCI women volleyball head coach Patrick Sang was also nominated for thrusting his side onto the top of the league, ending 2025 in style following three wins against Nairobi Prisons, Kenyatta University and Young Spykers.
Catholic Monks Rugby head coach Simon Jawichire also joined the long list after guiding his side into winning all their three opening matches and onto sitting top of the second-tier standings with 15 points. Fred Ambani was all smiles as he received the monthly award: “I’m thrilled to receive this award,” said Ambani. “I’m proud of my team’s hard work and dedication. We’re excited for what lies ahead in this New Year as we seek to challenge for the League title.”
SJAK president James Waindi congratulated coach Ambani, saying, “This award recognizes coach Ambani’s outstanding contribution to Kenyan football. He’s an inspiration to many ex-players who dream to at one time become coaches, and we’re honored to have him leading the charge at a big club like AFC Leopards.”
