DRAMATIC COMEBACK: Leopards edge out Tusker in Gotv shield quarters, Sofapaka through

Tusker FC's Brian Osumba dribbles the ball past AFC Leopards' Abdalla Juma during KPL match at Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

AFC Leopards progressed to the semi-finals of the GoTv Shield Cup after edging Tusker 3-2 with a stunning comeback at City Stadium, Nairobi on Sunday.

The match pitting the two big names of the top-tier league saw an eventful opening of the match with both teams trying to score their opening goal. It was Leopards who had the first meaningful shot in the third minute after Jackson Saleh fired wide off the post from just six yards from Tusker’s goal post.

With both teams showing early intentions of winning the match, Jesse Were gave the brewers the lead on the fourth minute after some nice one-two exchanges to fire in a ferocious shot from about 20 yards. Though the Leopards goalkeeper went for it, he couldn’t stop the ball as it went straight to the net.

Leopards pushed harder while creating chances and Bernard Mang’oli would have equalised on the 20th minute after a low hard shot inside the 18-yard box but Tusker custodian Samuel Odhiambo punched the ball for a corner.

The match looked balanced though Tusker were always a threat upfront with chance after chance in search of a second goal. Leopards on the other hand did not hold back as their main men upfront kept Tusker’s back-line on their heels time and again.

With the tempo of the match reading high, Jesse Were was the score sheet star after he picked a long ball to unleash another shot on the right flank which went through an oncoming AFC Leopards goalkeeper Matasi on the 35th minute. That was an awful goal that the Leopards’ custodian will want to forget quickly.

Second half started on a snail’s pace with Tusker looking contented with two goals while Leopards still trying to find the right button to press for ignition.

With an element of fresh legs in the game, Leopards showed great energy and had their best chance in the early stages of second half after Noah Wafula rattled the goal post with a shot that would have opened the goal account for De Jongh’s side.

Two minutes later, Leopards were gifted a chance by a Tusker defender after Lloyd Wahome handled in the box which Austin Ikenna scored in the 62nd minute.

Leopards pressed harder and in the 84th minute, Patrick Matasi unleashed a long ball into Tusker’s defence which instead of being headed off, Tusker’s Luke Ochieng’ flicked it into his own net. Before the brewers could get some breathing space, Humprey Mieno scored the winner.
 Earlier at the same venue, Sofapaka cruised to a 3-1 win over second division Administration Police. Sofapaka’s goals were scored by veteran striker John Baraza and  Collins Shivachi. AP pulled one back through Robert Jagero.