AFC LEOPARDS TAXED: Ingwe suffer loss to Ushuru as Nairobi City Stars open winning account with KCB

AFC v Ushuru
AFC leopards Musa Mude controls the ball as Moses Arita of Ushuru FC closes in during a KPL clash at Nyayo Stadium on April 18, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

It was a double blow for AFC Leopards yesterday at Nyayo National Stadium when they lost 1-0 to Ushuru and suffered three major injuries.

Allan Kateregga’s 57th minute strike in the Kenyan Premier League tie is all the tax-men needed to hand Leopards their second loss of the season.

Zdravko Logarusic had to make an early substitution bringing in Edward Seda for an injured Bernard Mang’oli in the 27th minute, then goalkeeper Joel Bataro replaced Wycliffe Kasaya, who suffered an arm injury while saving Charles Okwemba’s effort on the stroke of halftime.

And just after Kateregga’s goal, Noah Wafula came on for Ugandan utility player Martin Kiiza, who had picked up a knee injury.

However, Leopards only have themselves to blame for the defeat as their strikers were not clinical in front of goal.

Jacob Keli and Joseph Wanyonyi had chances after the hour mark, but their shots were deflected out for fruitless corners before Emmanuel Ngama squandered a precious chance after Ushuru’s defensive mix up in the 70th minute.

Earlier at the same venue, Nairobi City Stars registered their first victory of the season and compounded misery on KCB after thrashing the bankers 3-1.

Gambian import Sanneh Ebrima came off the bench to strike a brace for the Kawangware-based side after captain Oscar Mbugua’s opener in the 29th minute.

The bankers’ consolation goal came through Raymond Murugi, taking his tally to five.

City Stars coach Paul Nkata was visibly excited after claiming his first victory since their reinstatement into the league.

“I am proud of my players. It was a sweet victory and we really deserved it. But it is just but a start and I am hoping for more wins,” said Nkata.

Commenting on Ebrima’s brace, the Ugandan tactician said; “Ebrima has not been getting playing time, but he has proved it today. He came on and played some very good football.”

His opposite number, stand-in coach Elvis Ayany, was left frustrated by the bankers’ misfiring strikers.

“Wasted chances cost us victory. We created many scoring opportunities, but failed to find the back of the net. We need to work on our mentality and instill confidence in the boys,” said Ayany.

The Bankers could have taken an early lead in the third minute, but Benjamin Chaka’s feeble shot was saved by City Stars custodian Ronny Kagunzi.

City responded with a counter-attack but keeper Sammy Okinda came off his line to foul Bruno Sserenkuma. However, Musa Saad squandered the resulting free-kick before Calvin Masawa set up Mbugua for the opener.

A minute later, referee Nasur Dokar awarded KCB a penalty after Chrispin Onyango was brought down in the box by John Amboko, but Kagunzi saved Murugi’s shot.

Ebrima replaced Robert Mbugua on the hour mark and his impact was felt ten minutes later after he was tackled by Mark Odhiambo and he made no mistake, burying his penalty into the net.

He extended the lead in the 80th minute after calmly controlling a cross from the right before slotting the ball past the advancing Okinda.

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