KPL: Leopards bite dust, Thika United drops vital points

Job Omuse (right) of Western Stima controls the ball past Martin Imbalambala of AFC Leopards during the match at Moi Stadium in Kisumu yesterday. 13/09/14.PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA

Hosts Western Stima defeated AFC Leopards 2-1 in a lively encounter played at the Kisumu's Moi Stadium yesterday.

The match kicked off on a high note with Jacob Keli, Edwin Wafula, Bernard Mangoli and Joseph Wanyonyi having a great set-piece that was thwarted by Gabriel Andika with just two minutes gone.

Western Stima pushed upfront and Fredrick Simonyo's scored the first goal through a penalty in the fourth minute after Enrique Masika handled the ball in the box and the centre referee called for a penalty that was easily tapped in by Simonyo.

That was a goal that silenced the sounds of Isukuti and the vuvuzelas that AFC Leopards fans were playing.

Keli failed to convert a Wafula's cross from the left flank sending the ball wide.

Three minutes later, Wafula again sent a cross to Keli with whom they were pairing well before Keli sent the header straight into the arms of Stima goalkeeper.

Francis Ochola of Western Stima tapped a loose ball in the 12th minute and it went inches off the post making Wickliffe Kasaya read a riot act to his defenders Masika, Imbalambala and Jackson Sale as first half ended 1-0 for Western Stima.

In the second half, Joseph Wanyonyi was brought down by Wesley Kemboi in the area and the centre referee called for the second spot kick of the game in the 70th minute.

Bernard Mang'oli buried the ball in the net but five minutes later, Francis Ochola headed in a cross from Kemboi sending Kasaya the wrong side to make it 2-1 for Western Stima.

Western Stima coach Henry Omino was a happy man after he watched his team pull a hard fought win against AFC Leopards.

"I am happy my boys went into the game with a fighting spirit," Omino said. "We have been camping here for the last three days and we had agreed to retain the maximum points."

Elsewhere, Muhoroni pulled a 1-0 win over Thika United after Mike Khaduli scored from the spot when Dirkir Glay handled the ball in the box.

Chemelil squeezed a 1-0 win in Nakuru against Nakuru Top Fry.