FKF Premier League: Substitute Owiti scores a wonder goal as Leopards beat Sharks

AFC Leopards Elvis Rupia (second left) bowl-out during FKF PL match against Kariobangi Sharks FC at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, Jan 24, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

KCB return at the top of the table with win over Western Stima as Kakamega fry Bidco United.

Substitute Jaffari Owiti scored last gasp wonder goal as ten-man AFC Leopards beat Karibangi Sharks 2-0 in yesterday’s FKF Premier League match at Kasarani Annex.

Elvis Rupia gave Leopards an early lead in the 11th minute to take his season tally to nine, two behind current top scorer and Kariobangi marksman Erick Kapaito, who failed to score at Kasarani.

In Nakuru, KCB returned at the top of the table after seeing off Western Stima 3-1.

Captain Simon Abuko led from the front converting his first half penalty before Henry Onyango and Victor Omondi netted a goal each in the second half with Kennedy Otieno scoring Stima’s consolation goal.

At Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Homeboyz ended their six game winless run with a 2-0 victory over Bidco United.

At Kasarani, Leopards had to finish the game with ten men after Rwandese midfielder Fabrice Mugheni was sent off in the 89th minute for a second bookable offence.

The victory saw Anthony Kimani’s boys leapfrog Bandari into the fourth place as they go level on 15 points with Kariobangi.

“It was a difficult game as expected, but I’m pleased with how we contained them moreso their strikers. I’m happy for Rupia on how he’s helping the team as well as putting pressure on Kapaito’s,” Leopards coach Kimani, said.

While Kimani was celebrating his second consecutive win, his Sharks counterpart William Muluya took responsibility for the loss.

“AFC got their tactics right by scoring an early goal and defending well, but I will take the blame for this result,” said Muluya.

Sharks almost took an early lead in the sixth minutely, but Robinson Kamura did well to intercept James Mazembe’s dangerous delivery from the left before AFC Leopards goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan stopped Samuel Olwande’s free kick.

AFC responded immediately but Elvis Rupia miscued his effort at the edge of the box before Eric Kapaito’s attempt went over the back on the opposite end.

Rupia, however, broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when he unleashed a powerful shot past a hapless goalkeeper Brian Bwire after a defensive mix up.

Three minutes later, Sharks earned a free-kick in a promising position but Ochan pulled off a fine save to punch away Peter Lwasa’s brilliant delivery.

Rupia nearly doubled the lead when he pounced on a poor clearance from the goalkeeper in the area but indecision cost him before Beinvenue Shaka wasted a scoring opportunity after being released through by Austin Odhiambo.

Daniel Sakari could have drawn level for Sharks on the half hour mark but the former Masinde Muliro University defender feebly shot straight at the keeper before Kapaito’s close range effort agonisingly went wide.

Kamura almost made it 2-0 for AFC on the stroke of halftime,but his shot crashed against the cross bar before Lwasa’s free kick was blocked by the opposition’s defensive wall.

Rupia forced a fine save from Bwire three minutes into the second half before Shaka’s effort went inches wide.

Sharks captain  Erick Juma then ballooned his attempt in the 65th minute as they intensified their attack before Austin Odhiambo and Marvin Nabwire paved way for Jaffari Owiti and Peter Thiong’o on the Leopards side.

Ten minutes later, Ochan came off his line to deny subsitute Julius Masaba following a brilliant build up before Kapaito’s glancing header went wide.

Thiong’o could have got his name on the scoresheet in the 81st minute when he latched on Rupia’s pass but scuffed his shot.

Owiti put the game to bed for Leopards after scoring a wonder goal in the stoppage time, a few minutes after his teammate Fabrice Mugheni had been sent off.