Friendly: AFC Leopards claw hosts Thika United

AFC LEOPARDS VS THIKA UNITED AFC Leopards Prince Papa(L) and Said Tsuma of Thika United battle for ball possession during their friendly match at Thika Municipal Stadium on Saturday 20/01/18[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

With a week before the new Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season kicks-off, teams are using this period to gauge their strength by playing friendly matches.

Yesterday, AFC Leopards and Mathare United both won their friendly matches giving supporters plenty of confidence ahead of what is expected to be a very tough season.

At Thika Municipal Stadium, AFC Leopards came from a goal down to edge out Thika United 2-1.

Saad Musa scored for Thika United in the 13th minute before new signings Eric Bekoe and Brian Marita netted for Leopards in the 51st and 71st minutes respectively.

The win was a big one for Leopards ahead of next weekend’s match against Gor Mahia in Nakuru.

At Goan ground, Mathare United pipped Terror Squad 3-1 in another friendly match.

David Owino, Lennox Ogutu and Cliff Nyakeya scored for Mathare United while Eric Kahonge pulled one back for the visitors.

Mathare United’s new signing Clifford Alwanga blasted from close range after Chrsipin Oduor had picked him out inside the first ten minutes of the match.

But Ogutu made up for the loss with the opening goal from the penalty spot as Mathare United went up at the quarter-hour mark.

The early goal seem to have given Mathare United plenty of confidence something that saw them step up their dominance as they enjoyed huge possession.

Despite dominating, the winners failed to take advantage and double the score and it was only in the 50th minute that David Owino was able to add a second from a long drive that gave the visitor’s goalkeeper no chance.

A few minutes after the match resumed, Nyakeya added a third for the winners. Terror were determined to get something from the fixture and did so when Erick Kahonge scored late. [Gilbert Wandera]

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