By JAMES WAINDI
A section of AFC Leopards fans at the Afraha Stadium carried a banner reading âThe white witch doctor is the bestâ
True to the word, Dutch tactician Jan Koops maintained his unbeaten record in the league with a 2-0 win over 2010 champions and league contenders Ulinzi Stars.
AFC Leopards scorers Allan Wanga (left) and Jonas Nahimana celebrate their win over Ulinzi, on Sunday. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]
Rwandese international Jonas Nahimana scored the first goal from the spot in the 48th minute and Allan Wanga added the second from a free kick in the 73rd minute to send Leopards back to the top of the Ke nyan Premier League standings after four matches. Leopardsâ goalkeeper Patrick Matasi was the man of the match, saving two penalties and making a number of high profile saves to go for 360 minutes without conceding a goal. He remains the only custodian in the league yet to be beaten.
Leopards coach Koops started the match with three strikers, in form international Allan Wanga who scored Harambee Stars winner against Togo in midweek as Kenya won the continental qualifier 2-1, veteran Mike Barasa and Ugandan international Jimmy Bagaye, clearly indicating that he anticipated an offensive match.
Ulinzi dominated the early minutes of the match with Evans Amuoka testing Leopardsâ custodian Matasi in the fourth minute.
Ulinziâs midfield of Eric Apul, Stephen Ochola and Kevin Amwayi dominated their opponents made up of Salim Kinje, Martin Imbalambala and Bernard Mangoli, but the soldiers failed to turn possession into goals.
The match produced a record three penalties, 2010 champions Ulinzi earning two, with visitors Leopards earning one.
First Eric Masika brought down last yearâs top scorer Stephen Waruru in the box and the danger man picked himself up to take the shot, but was denied by the legs of Matasi in the 32nd minute.
In the 48th minute, Geoffrey Kokoyo brought down Leopardsâ dimunitive striker Jimmy Bagaye in the box and Rwandese import Jonas Nahimana who played 90 minutes for Rwandaâs Amavubi in midweek against Nigeria, sent Ulinzi goalkeeper Jacktone Odhiambo the wrong way to give the visitors a 1-0 lead and send the traveling fans into frenzy.
Mangoli could have made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute, but missed the target in a one-on-one situation with Ulinzi custodian Odhiambo, and five minutes later, an unmarked Wyclif Ochomo missed the target narrowly with a close range header.
