AFC Leopards edge Equity on penalties to reach FKF Cup finals

AFC's Washington Munene (left) and Equity's Sunday Katumba during Betways semifinal match at Utalii Sports Club, Nairobi on Sunday [ Jonah Onyango, Standard]

AFC Leopards on Sunday sailed through to the finals of the 2021 Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Cup finals after edging out Division Two outfit Equity FC 6-5 on post-match penalties in a tight semifinal match played at Utalii Grounds.

John Oyemba was the hero of the day after he ensured Leopards reached the finals by saving Stephen Ologi's penalty kick.

Both teams were tied at 4-4 after each missed in the opening five penalty kicks before Oyemba saved Equity’s seventh take after Ingwe converted their sixth and seventh kick.

Ingwe who last won the title in 2017 when they beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 to win the then GOtv Shield, are now one match away from winning their 11th title.

Ingwe will now wait to face the winner between Gor Mahia and Bidco United who are currently playing in the second semifinal match.

Ingwe and Equity had played to a goalless draw in regular time which saw both teams fail to convert open goal scoring chances.

In the match, Sunday Katumba was first to worry the Ingwe defense with a midrange shot easily saved by Oyemba in goal.

In the quarter-hour mark, Equity’s Marvin Omondi long-range shot narrowly missed the top left corner before Brysan Wangai forced Oyemba into making a fine save moments later from a free-kick.

Leopards captain Isaac Kipyegon delivered Ingwe’s first real chance of the match when his setpiece 20 yards from goal beat Equity’s wall but narrowly missed the target.

Ingwe danger man Elvis Rupia would attempt a snapshot in the half hour mark but his effort would not threaten Equity’s keeper Timothy Ngugi who thwarted numerous Ingwe attempts as the game went to the break tied at 0-0.

In the final half, both teams tried to win the match with late attacks and loud penalty calls that did not come out to favour any of them.

AFC Leopards will now wait to play the winner of the second semifinal between Gor and Bidco.