AFC Leopards defeat Gor Mahia 1-0 to lift GOtv Shield trophy and pocket Sh2 million

By GILBERT WANDERA

AFC Leopards players lift the GOtv Shield after beating Gor Mahia 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Former Gor Mahia midfielder Peter Opiyo returned to haunt his former club scoring in the 53rd minute to give AFC Leopards their first silverware this year as they clinched the GOtv Shield at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

Opiyo found the back of the net from a Noah Wafula low cross, cutting behind the defenders, from the left flank after the latter had beat his marker Musa Moham med.

Determined to clinch some silverware after missing out on the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title, it was Leopards who showed more aggression as the match kicked off.

Leopards went on the offensive and were rewarded with a second minute corner after Jerim Onyango spilled Peter Opiyo’s effort.

Three minutes later, Leopards earned their second corner this time David Owino kicked the ball out while trying to stop a goal bound Noah Wafula.

It was not until the seventh minute that Gor Mahia got their first shot on goal. It came off Dan Sserunkuma who blasted wide from near the Leopards goal. One minute later, Leopards were again rewarded with their third corner but they could not utilise it.

Sserunkuma, who has scored in every game against Leopards, was giving his markers a lot of problems. His second chance came in the 12th minute but he again shot wide after creating space for himself.

It was, however, Israel Emuge, who earned the first caution of the match when he pushed Paul Were off the ball.

Gor upped the pressure and were rewarded with another corner in the 21st minute when Innocent Mutiso’s effort from the left flank was deflected out.

The tide turned slightly towards Leopards as Jerim Onyango in goal, who kept out Noah Wafula’s effort.Then Onyango came out again to stop Abdalla Juma’s free kick.

But in second half, Opiyo scored the only goal of the match in the 53 minute as Leopards held on to win 1-0.      

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