LEOPARDS HIT BACK: AFC stage stirring comeback as Tusker and Sony also win

Tusker FC's Clifford Alwanga and Mathare FC Edward Seda, left, vie for the ball during KPL match at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday, July 6, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kepha Aswani was once again the hero coming off the bench to score a brace as AFC Leopards rallied from behind to beat Ushuru 3-2 in a thrilling Kenyan Premier League match at the Mumias Sports Complex, yesterday.

Experienced midfielder Maurice Odipo fired the taxmen ahead in the 18th minute before Dennis Wafula doubled the lead on the half hour mark for the Ken Kenyatta’s men to go to the lockers comfortably leading 2-0.

But with AFC coach Ivan Minnaert sensing danger, the Belgian made a double substitution at halftime, bringing on Aswani and Bernard Ongoma for Allan Kateregga and Yusuf Suf respectively.

The duo’s impact was felt immediately as they went on to help Ingwe stage a brilliant comeback scoring a goal each in a span of three minutes before Aswani snatched the winner in the 80th minute.

Aswani, who had came off the bench to rescue a point for Leopards against Posta Rangers in a midweek encounter, proved his scoring prowess, pulling a goal back for Ingwe in the 65th minute before Ongoma scored an incredible goal to level matters.

With ten minutes to go, Aswani pounced on a loose ball to beat Ushuru goalkeeper Shaban Odhoji and take his goals tally to ten.

In Nakuru, Western Stima’s Cinderella run came to a sudden halt after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of visiting Sony Sugar, at the Afraha Stadium.

Valen Mahero broke the deadlock in the 15th minute before Victor Ademba unleashed a spectacular free kick to double the lead midway through the second half.

Amos Asembeka put the game beyond the powermen’s reach, netting the third goal in the 80th minute and end Stima’s five game unbeaten run.

Elsewhere, Kenyan Premier League leaders Tusker bounced back from their disappointing midweek defeat to Thika United to beat Mathare United 2-0, at the Kasarani Stadium.

It took Tusker only four minutes to go ahead when Clifford Alwanga rifled home from range past a flailing Mathare United goalkeeper Robert Mboya.

Allan Wanga then unleashed a powerful shot inside the box in the 58th minute to score his second on his return to the local league and Tusker’s second. —Reports by Phillip Orwa, Ben Ahenda and Rodgers Eshitemi