Mathare United smash Ulinzi as Leopards are held

AFC LEOPARDS VS USHURU KPL AFC Leopards Allan Kateregga(R) and Philip Otieno of Ushuru battle for the ball during their KPL at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday 17/04/16.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Mathare United leapfrogged Tusker to reach the summit of the Sportpesa Premier League with two second-half goals from George Owino and Eric Johanna to see off Ulinzi Stars at Afraha Stadium.

At Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, AFC Leopards rallied from behind to tie Ushuru 1-1.

Ulinzi will have themselves to blame for wasting a host of chances that came their way mostly in the first half with Mark Bikokwa, John Nairuka and John Makwatta the main causalities.

The Soldiers could have taken the lead after the break, but Nairuka fluffed his shot from Geoffrey Kokoyo’s rebound.

But in the 75th minute, the hosts paid the price for poor finishing when Owino rose above his markers to head home Noah Abich’s free-kick.

A few minutes later, Johanna doubled the lead after dribbling past Ulinzi defenders before unleashing a powerful shot to beat James Saruni in goal and hand the Soldiers their second defeat in a row.

The victory saw Francis Kimanzi’s men dislodge Tusker (20 points) from the top courtesy of better goal difference.

At Nyayo Stadium, Kepha Aswani scored to secure a point for AFC Leopards against a resilient Ushuru.

Ushuru took the lead through Philemon Otieno’s effort.

However, ten minutes later, Aswani grabbed an equaliser for the visitors from the spot after Otieno handled his goal-bound shot.

Elsewhere, Kakamega Homeboyz consigned Sofapaka to their eighth consecutive loss after stunning them 2-1 at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos, as Timothy Ludda’s strike inspired Thika United to a 1-0 victory over visiting Nairobi City Stars.

Wycliffe Opondo capitalised on Homeboyz’s defensive blunder to break the deadlock a few minutes into the second half but Gerald Bagoole gifted the visitors an equaliser after scoring in his own net. Moments later, substitute Jeremiah Wanjala scored for the win.