AFC Leopards lick wounds as rivals Gor Mahia party

BY ROBIN TOSKIN

Kenya: Allan Wanga stretched every sinew in his body to poke home AFC Leopards’ only goal as Ingwe beat Karuturi to go second behind partying 2013 champions, Gor Mahia.

Poignantly, the effort coming in 86th minute pretty sums up AFC Leopards’ tendency to close stables after horses have long gone.

And as Gor Mahia savour a deserved title triumph coming 18 years after their last gong, K’Ogalo’s in-laws will rue missed opportunities for silverware.

While it may look like AFC Leopards planned to fail, in actual sense Ingwe failed to plan— a mortal weakness that has invited derisory catcalls from the followers of their eternal rivals.

“Cowards FC, AFC ‘Always Firing Coaches’ SC, AFC Ogwang,” Gor Mahia fans relished and reveled in the tribulations of their archrivals.

Try as they may to reject the notion of self inflicted misery, Leopards will be hard pressed to explain away failure to land the big-eared Kenyan Premier League gong despite an embarrassment of talent in the Den.

AFC Leopards’ attacking triumvirate of Allan Wanga, Paul Were and Noah Wafula sends a chilling feeling down the spines of opposing team.

Yet for all their breathtaking attacking flair they have scored a combined 17 goals, three more than KCB’s Jacob Keli and Jesse Were (Tusker).

While Gor Mahia have continuously knocked at the door of glory their nemesis have perfected the art of self-destruction.

Until today, “right thinking” Gor Mahia adherents still don’t believe how AFC Leopards would hold elections in the middle of the season.

As if that is not enough, even after elections, trust AFC Leopards community keyboard to stick on the election mode all season.

Last year, Ingwe imploded at a critical time, failing to shift gears on the last bend. It provided fodder for Gor Mahia fans, who chided Leopards that they were like, “Stage Coach Buses” choking up the Valley Road in Nairobi.

Although Gor did not win the league, they finished a comfortable second having come from 17 points adrift of their rivals.

Fast forward to this term, AFC Leopards did what they could but for a relapse to the old bad ways.

However, with the election of Allan Kasavuli as chairman with a blend of the new and old leadership, there is hope of a revival.

The appointment of James Nandwa has seen AFC Leopards go seven matches unbeaten and a place in GOTv Shield final.