Leopards clawed in Machakos

AFC Leopards Eugene Ambulwa(R) hang for the ball against Heritier Luvalu of Sofapaka during their KPL match at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 09/04/16.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Sofapaka edged out AFC Leopards 3-2 at Machakos Stadium and the results greatly improved their chances of escaping relegation from the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

The match was partly watched by new AFC Leopards coach Stewart Hall who arrived at the venue after the break.

AFC Leopards stand-in coach Ezekiel Akwana gambled by starting youthful goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe who handed Sofapaka two gift in first half.

Leopards took the lead in the seventh minute when Alfred Wekesa sent home Simon Abuko’s lay-up for the opener with the Sofapaka backline caught napping. The lead lasted only six minutes as Sofapaka hit back in the 13th minute when Wekesa, who came out prematurely, failed to stop a well-taken free kick from Noah Abich allowing Ezekiel Okare to head home the equaliser.

Poor defending from the Leopard’s backline was to blame but no one could take away the brilliance of Abich’s delivery.

In the 26th minute, Abich was at it again setting up Okare to score the second, once again from a well-taken free kick.

Abich, who, last season played at Mathare United was not done yet and he set up the third goal in the 85th minute before Leopards got their second in the 89th minute after Jack Bruno tapped home from a goal mouth melee.