Leopards SHOCKED: Stima’s Ochieng’ switches off Ingwe’s power in Kisumu as City Stars stop Ulinzi guns

SOCCER-AFC'S HEAD COACH-ZDRAVKO LOGARUSIC; Afc Leopard's Head Coach Zdravko Logarusic gives tips to his players at the Mombasa County Stadium on Tuesday,012th May,2015 evening. His team was playing a premier league match against Bandari Fc.PHOTO BY MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD

Hosts Western Stima, was for better part of the match switched off but substitute striker Victor Ochieng’ powered his side on for just two minutes to electrocute AFC Leopards in a 2-0 win at Moi Stadium in Kisumu.

At Afraha Stadium Ulinzi dropped two points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nairobi City Stars while Thika United beat Sony Sugar 1-0 in Awendo.

At Kisumu Stadium, Ochieng’ scored his first goal from outside the 18-yard box with his shot beating Leopards goalkeeper Wycliffe Kasaya on the right hand corner in the 70th minute.

Barely had the game restarted than Western Stima went on the offensive and Baron Oketch did the hard work to dribble inside Leopards danger zone and set up Ochieng’ to strike his second and kill off the game.

The game, which was played on a rainy pitch, started off slowly with Western Stima dictating the pace.

However, they could not disturb AFC Leopards backline as the visitors tried to settle down.

Leopards then turned the tide to their hosts and pushed forward in search of the opener.

Jacob Keli and Musa Mudde combined well upfront, but found the water-tight defence of Western Stima, marshalled by Dennis Sikhai, Hudson Muhako and Joash Onyango, hard to penetrate.

In the 22nd minute, the match was temporarily stopped as Ronald Okoth of Stima fouled Juma Abdallah, who was sprinting away towards Stima goal.

The fans hurled stones and plastic water bottles on the pitch forcing second assistant referee Dorcas Wanza to run into the pitch.

On resumption, AFC continued to pile the pressure and maintaining a high defence line. But Western Stima was happy to sit back and soak up the pressure and occasionally released Ochieng’ and Baron Oketch on the counter-attack.

After 33 minutes, Kelli was put through on the right flank and his cross found both Noah Wafula and Mangoli in the six-yard box. Wafula was first to strike and it rebounded off Western Stima goalkeeper Gabriel Andika’s tummy.

Mangoli hit the rebound but the goalkeeper blocked it again.

Western Stima’s first shot on goal came in the 43rd minute by Oketch but Leopards custodian Wycliffe Kasaya save it.

In Nakuru, Ulinzi Stars failed to continue with their good run after being held to a 1-1 tie by Nairobi City Stars at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.

Oscar Wamalwa scored the first goal for the home side but this was cancelled by Robert Ndungu to ensure City Stars picked an away point.

A heavy downpour in Nakuru interfered with play as both sides struggled to move the ball around.

Even then, the soldiers were the first to create chances with Kevin Amwayi blasting wide after being put through by John Nairuka in the tenth minute. After relentlessly attacking their opponents, it finally worked for Ulinzi in the 37th minute when they scored.

From a well-struck free kick by Oliver Rutto, Rony Kagunzi in the City Stars goal failed to hold onto the ball instead punching it onto the feet of Osca Wamalwa who easily tapped home for the opener.

When the second half resumed, Ulinzi maintained their good form hoping to add a second and maintain a good run in the league.

However, it was City Stars who scored the equaliser in the 63rd minute. Robert Ndungu headed home past James Saruni to pick a crucial point for his side.

Seven minutes after that, Ulinzi had the chance to take the lead again after Justine Onuonga sent Kevin Amwayi clear but with the keeper only to beat, he shot over the bar.

Five minutes to the final whistle, Ebrima Sanneh could have grabbed the winning goal for City Stars after Bruno Sserenkuma’s cross into the box but with Saruni only to beat, he headed over the bar.

In Awendo, Kennedy Otieno scored the all-important goal to give Thika maximum points.

— Reports by Chris Musumba, Gilbert Wandera and Joseph Kipsang

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