AFC Leopards slow Ulinzi's title charge

By James Waindi

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Ulinzi Stars coach Benjamin Nyangweso is still confident of retaining the local title, despite suffering a heart breaking 1-0 loss to AFC Leopards in a mid-week clash at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday night.

Nyangweso, who was voted the coach of the year last season, said their fate was still in their hands, because if they win their remaining three fixtures they would be home and dry since they trail leaders Tusker by three points. Tusker have two matches on card.

A second minute goal by Jonas Naimana was enough to increase Leopards’ unbeaten league record to 12 matches and in the process slowed down the soldiers’ pursuit of the leaders.

In another match, 2009 champions Sofapaka laboured to beat Chemelil Sugar 3-2 in an early kick-off thriller at the same venue.

Heritier Luvualu, Humphrey Mieno and skipper John Baraza were on target for Sofapaka, while Chemelil Sugar’s goals were scored by Georson Likono and Milton Kidiga.

"I can’t say I am disappointed. In football there has to be a winner and a loser and today we lost, so it’s normal. Our title chances are still high. We just have to focus on winning the remaining matches to be certain of retaining the crown," said Nyangweso.

The win lifts Leopards to an enviable 4th position in the table with 29 points, but this could change as fifth placed Gor Mahia hosted Rangers last evening.

A win for either Gor or Rangers would displace Leopards. Gor Mahia are 44 points before yesterday’s match.

Both sides had equal chances in the match that had to be stopped for about seven minutes after power went off at the stadium.

Naimana’s priceless goal came through a header off Charles Okwemba’s corner just two minutes into the match. In the absence of lead striker Mike Baraza, Francis Chinjili and Jimmy Bagaye had the duty of leading Ingwe’s firing machines.

In the 34th minute the combination between the two almost resulted in a second goal but Bagaye misfired from close range as Ulinzi defenders tumbled trying to clear their lines.

Ulinzi tried a late comeback in the second half with better display than their hosts but it was AFC who almost got the second through Bagaye and Bernard Mang’oli though both attempts were stopped by Jacktone Odhiambo in Ulinzi’s posts as Ingwe sneaked into the top territory with maximum points.

Meanwhile, Sofapaka got some lifeline in their title-chasing dream, but they will have to pull up their socks in their remaining fixtures if they are to finish in the top three after being exposed by the Sugar Millers.

The win lifted Sofapaka to 48 points and they have a slim mathematical chance of lifting the title but only if Tusker (54) and Ulinzi (51) lose all of their remaining fixtures.

Luvuala opened the scoring for Sofapaka in the 20th minute from 30 yards away.

Chemelil capitalised on Sofapaka’s defensive slumber to draw level in the 31st minute as Likono’s strike came off Sofapaka defender John Njoroge.

Mieno converted a free kick in the 51st minute and Baraza added second in the tally in the 55th minute, before Kidiga reduced.