Leopards sip Tusker in Nyayo

AFC Leopards Sports Club's Dennis Shikhayi and Paul Odhiambo (left) of Tusker FC during KPL Match at Nyayo National Stadium. Aug 24, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

AFC Leopards put a major dent in Tusker’s Kenyan Premier League title hopes after beating the 10-man defending champions 1-0 in a cagey game at Nyayo National Stadium yesterday.

Samuel Ndung’u came off the bench to net the lone goal in the 82nd minute and lift Leopards to the 13th position on the table, six points (23 points) behind eighth placed brewers. This was a half an hour after Tusker defender Marlon Tangauzi had been sent off for a second bookable offence.

But it is a show that AFC Leopards coach Robert Matano expected ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated Mashemeji derby against league leaders Gor Mahia.

“The team is well motivated and confident ahead of the derby. In any success, you need focus, discipline, commitment and people must work. We now have to redeem AFC Leopards' image,” said a jubilant Matano after beating his former employers.

Tusker had a chance in the second minute but Paul Odhiambo failed to capitise on AFC defender Abdallah Salim’s defensive error. Anthony Ndolo then forced a fine save from goalkeeper Gabriel Andika before he stopped Bonface Muchiri’s curved corner kick.

In the 16th minute Aziz Okaka’s long range effort was easily gathered by the brewers’ custodian, Duncan Ochieng, before the former Sofapaka man came off his line to clear a long ball from AFC Leopards half.

Rocket of a shot

A few moments later, Victor Majjid unleashed a powerful shot but was denied by Ochieng. Stephen Owusu saw his sidelong header from Ndolo’s delivery on the stroke of halftime go wide.

Tusker were reduced to 10 men in the 52nd minute after Tangauzi was given marching orders before Muchiri’s free kick was deflected for a corner.

With a numerical advantage at his disposal, Robert Matano made a tactical substitution bringing in striker Vincent Oburu for midfielder Harun Nyakha as Danson Kago substituted Paul Odhiambo on the Tusker side.