VICTORY AT LAST: Relief at the Den as Leopards beat Stima to end winless streak as Bandari shock brewers

Bernard Mangoli scored in the 34th to help AFC Leopards beat Western Stima 1-0 at Kasarani Stadium on yesterday morning.

The match was played in an empty stadium and it looked like that is what Leopards needed to bounce back to winning ways after a seven-match losing streak.

Leopards started strongly forcing two quick corners within the first eight minutes, but without punishing the electricity men.

The first chance at goal came from Israel Emuge whose shot did not trouble Gabriel Andika in the Stima goal.

Two minutes later, Stima went close only for John Kiplangat to see his effort go wide from a goal mouth melee.

Leopards grabbed the match by its scruff after Khalid Jumaan had been brought in for Duncan Otieno in an early substitution.

The introduction of Jumaan ensured that more balls went to Stima’s goal and in the 34th minute, unable to contain the pressure, Joshua Onyango brought down Bernard Mangoli who stepped up to score from the resultant penalty.

Stima fought hard to equalise, but could not get through. The electricity men started strongly the second half and should have gone level two minutes into the match when Hedmond Mauda was denied by Lucas Indeche in goal.

Then Wesley Kemboi crashed the upright with a well taken header as Stima dominated.

Stima rested Eston Esiye for David Okello and Baron Oketch for Fredrick Nyarombo and it worked as Kemboi once again forced Indeche to a full stretch save.

The power men made their last substitution, bringing on Mike Barasa for John Kiplangat. Leopards on the other hand rested Joseph Njuguna for Simon Sikuku.

Bandari enhanced their chances of finishing among the top five after they upset former champions Tusker 1-0 in at the Mombasa County Stadium.

Ugandan import Lawrence Kasadha ensured Bandari grabbed the three crucial points after he intercepted Tusker goalkeeper Martin Musalia’s shot to superbly place it into the net in the 34th minute.
The deserved victory saw the dockers move to 38 points.

Despite displaying quality football, the former champions could not penetrate the solid Bandari defence marshalled by Duncan Otewa.

Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin opted for his second choice goalkeeper Joseph Okoth instead of the regular Wilson Obungu between the goalposts.

Muhiddin had criticised Obungu for making ‘schoolboy’ errors during the Gor Mahia match at the same venue a fortnight ago where the homeboys lost 2-1.

Tuskers strikers Jesse Were and Humphrey Mieno were outstanding. However, the brewers seemed more energized after coach Francis Kimanzi brought in Abdallah Juma and Danson Kago for Ronald Msumba and Brian Osumba in the second half.

Bandari’s custodian Okoth made several daring saves thus receiving praise from Muhiddin.

In a post match interview, Muhiddin said he would give Okoth more matches in the remaining four fixture.