Leopards attack Singida as Yanga knockout Tusker in post-match penalties

AFC Leopards won their first match against Singida United in the ongoing #SportpesaSuperCup. The match ended 1-1 before Leopards completed the comeback with a 5-4 win in the post match penalties.

AFC advance as Yanga knockout Tusker in post-match penalties.

It took them to post-match penalties, but AFC Leopards eventually advanced to the semifinals when it mattered most.

The chase for the Sh3m prize money is still on. Granted, they were wasteful for most of the 90-minute match against newly-promoted Tanzania Premier League side Singida United, but that counted for nothing with the final whistle. 

They won 5-4 on post match penalties and with it, qualified for the last four in the inaugural SportPesa Super Cup yesterday at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Their Kenyan Premier League brothers Tusker FC were not as lucky, losing 4-2 on post-match penalties to Tanzanian giants, Yanga FC in the second match.

Brian Osumba and Noah Wafula converted their penalties for Tusker, while Clifford Alwanga and Stephen Owusu failed to hit the target when it mattered most.

Yanga scorers included captain Nadir ‘Canavaro’Haroun, Obrey Chirwa, Edward Maka and Said Musa.The two sides had battled to a barren draw in normal time.

Ingwe relied on Chuku Salum’s costly miss in the penalties to claim honours. The Kenyans converted through captain Bernard Mangoli, Marselas Ingotsi, Ugandan import Allan Kataregga, Dancun Otieno and Ghanaian import Gilbert Fiamenyo after their game ended 1-1 after normal time.

The hosts were the first to find the back of the net in the 10th minute through Tafadzwa Kutinyu, who headed in from a Wisdom Matasa ball.

But Leopard’s new signing Vincent Oburu ensured parity in the 63rd minute. Leopards were denied an early lead in the balanced first half when Fiamenyo hit the bar in the seventh minute.

They had another chance in the 23rd minute Fiamenyo was brought down at the edge of the box, but Mangoli curved his shot wide.

Fiamenyo was a good fighter upfront, but his finishing power was wanting.

Ingwe was a better side in the second half as they launched endless assaults that brought confidence somewhat. Leopards came close through Kataregga and Otieno, whose shots were parried to safety by Singida custodian Said Lubawa.

“We still have a long way to go. We’re learning,” said Singida coach Hans Van Der Pluiym.