INGWE ON FIRE: AFC Leopards prey on Gor Mahia to unbeaten streak with brilliant strike

GOR MAHIA VS AFC LEOPARDS KASARANI Gor Mahia and of AFC Leopards battle for ball possession during their Sportpesa Premier League at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday 06/03/16.PHOTO.BONIFACE OKENDO

Ivorian striker Laminne Diallo came off the bench to score the winning goal as AFC Leopards grabbed the Mashemeji derby bragging rights after beating Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia 1-0 at the Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

Gor coach Frank Nuttall was gracious in defeat, but admitted to missing the striking trio of Michael Olunga, Meddie Kagere and Victor Abondo, who scored a combined 65 goals last year.

"It is our first loss this season and after a very long time. It is very unfortunate. We had the fighting spirit, but lacked composure in the final third. We are not far off from where we need to be. We just need to keep pushing and score goals. But frankly speaking, we are missing Kagere, Olunga and Abondo," Nuttall told Feverpitch.

But for his AFC counterpart Ivan Minnaert, who made a winning derby debut, as Ingwe extended their stay at the top of the table (10 points), the victory is motivation for the team.

"We have made great progress and we are now more confident heading into the next matches but we need to fight more. Both teams fought hard, it was a top game. I am proud of Katerrega and Diallo, they had a good game," said Minnaert.

"It is just a fortune in the league, but we still have 26 games to go. Every game, is different but this strong mentality is a big boost to everybody."

Gor Mahia started the brighter side with Godfrey Walusimbi forcing a fine save from AFC Leopards goalkeeper Lucas Indeche in the opening minute before Innocent Wafula's effort was deflected for a fruitless corner.

Gor could have taken the lead in 17th minute, when Wafula who was a constant threat in Leopards' defence, shrugged off a challenge from his marker but unfortunately shot feebly into Indeche's hands.

Leopards responded immediately but Kepha Aswani failed to connect with a dangerous cross from the right.

Gor was then awarded a free kick at the edge of the box, but Indeche did well to parry away Francis Kahata's effort.

In the 28th minute, Aswani made a good run from the right and delivered a fine pass but Tololwa fluffed his shot.

Moments later, George Odhiambo saw his long range effort go wide, before Leopards made an early substitution bringing in Allan Kataregga for Alfred Wekesa.

Leopards then raided Gor defence but Simon Abuko was dispossessed by Musa Mohamed in the area before Tololwa's free kick was easily picked up by Jerim Onyango.

In the 37th minute, Kateregga forced a fine save from Onyango.

With four minutes to the break, Miheso delivered a fine cross from the left, but Aswani's powerless shot was easily picked up by Onyango. Once again, the former Thika United man released Abuko on the right, who did well to beat advancing Onyango but failed to find the target before Godfrey Walusimbi's glancing header narrowly went wide.

Leopards made their second substitution on restart with Andrew Diego paving way for Yusuf Juma.

In the 53rd minute, Wafula's attempt in the box was blocked by Leopards defender before Indeche pulled off a fine save from Odhiambo's long range effort.

Wafula had a chance to put Gor ahead on the hour mark but his shot in the box was blocked by Tololwa before the former Mathare United forward's effort was also blocked by Collins Okoth.

In the 70th minute, Abuko saw his attempt bounce off the target, before Enock Agwanda replaced Wafula. Agwanda's impact was felt immediately as his shot at the edge of the box was blocked by a solid Leopards backline.

After a series of attempts, Leopards finally got the break through in the 83rd minute when Diallo volleyed home Yusuf Juma's pin-point cross from the left.

Gor survived a last minute scare with Onyango making a brilliant injury time save to deny Kateregga a goal before Miheso's effort went wide.

Elsewhere, Ulinzi Stars stunned their hosts Ushuru 1-0 at the Kenyatta stadium, Machakos as Antony Kimani's first half strike downed Sony Sugar in Mombasa.

John Makwatta scored the all important goal for the Soldiers in Machakos.