AFC Leopards raid KCB in Kenyan Premier League

By GILBERT WANDERA and BRIAN MOSETI

AFC Leopards stand in coach James Nandwa earned his first Kenyan Premier League (KPL) victory after guiding his side to a 1-0 win over KCB at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

Paul Were scored the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute however, it was shrouded in controversy.

Were tapped home after it appeared KCB goalkeeper Sammy Okinda had been pushed by Allan Wanga and coach Abdalla Juma was a furious man afterwards.

“The referee should have protected the goalkeeper by whistling when it looked like he had been pushed. This is not fair at all and it cost us three points,” he said afterwards.

But the KCB tactician also admitted that his players were not at their best on Sunday afternoon and lacked the motivation to win this one.

“We all cannot begin to say exactly what transpired on the pitch. We just did not rise to the occasion,” he admitted.

His Leopards counter-part James Nandwa was guarded in victory saying there is still a long way to go for him to start thinking of the title.

Kakamega Homeboyz

In Western, Kakamega Homeboys’ chances of remaining in KPL were dented on Sunday at Bukhungu Stadium as visitors Ulinzi Stars held them to a barren draw.

The rain washed encounter started off lazily but gathered up momentum with hundreds of fans thronging the legendary grounds to witness the action.

Ulinzi’s second half substitute Oscar Wamalwa goal was ruled offside by referee Hadji Adede sparking protest from the Soldiers.

Back in Nairobi, Leopards coach Nandwa is taking his win cautiously.

“This win takes us one step closer to our goal but we still have a long way to go. We will take each game as it comes and see what happens. Today my players followed instructions to ensure we picked all three points,” Nandwa added.

First opportunity

Leopards  got the first chance of the match early on with a second minute free kick near their opponents goal but the same was placed wide by Wanga.

Overall, Leopards had better ball possession, but appeared to lose the same quickly. The bankers broke through after five minutes mark with Jacob Keli and Ronnie Osumba co-ordinating well to break the Leopards defence but the latter was ruled off-side as he ran to score.

The wave quickly turned to Leopards way and a combination between Were and Wanga set up the latter who blasted wide. A dangerous tackle by Jacob Keli on Edwin Wafula earned the KCB man the first caution of the match.

Wafula did not last long on the pitch after that and AFC Leopards coach was forced to make an early substitution resting the influential defender for Augustine Etemesi. Leopards pressure paid divident as Were tapped home though it looked like Wanga had pushed Samuel Okinda in goal. KCB players and the technical bench bitterly protested the goal as Okinda sort treatment.

—gwandera@standardmedia.co.ke