Advantage Ingwe intensifies title race after Tusker wobble

AFC Leopards celebrate after beating Nzoia FC 1-0 during the FKF Premier League match at Ruaraka grounds. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

AFC Leopards closed the gap on FKF Premier League leaders Tusker to within two points after claiming an important victory over Nzoia Sugar over the weekend as football returned under strict Covid-19 protocols after seven weeks out.

The league was suspended on March 26 after President Uhuru Kenyatta banned all sporting activities in the country, owing to the increased Covid-19 infections.

Even though match fitness and player rustiness was largely expected in majority of the round 16 matches, Leopards appeared unfazed after registering a massive 1-0 win in their match against Nzoia Sugar.

Caleb Olilo’s first goal of the campaign was enough to hand Ingwe all three points, a victory that would propel them to second in the premier league standings with 32 points after playing 15 matches in the 17-team league following FIFA’s May 4 decision to relegate Zoo FC to Division One after finding them culpable of match fixing.

The win also saw Ingwe cut Tusker’s lead atop the standings to two points after the brewers failed to beat 10-man KCB in a 0-0 draw.

Speaking after the win, Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems said he is glad they got all maximum points despite not being ready physically.

“It was like a whole new league staring over again. My players were not ready regarding the weeks we had out. Despite a tough second half where we struggled we did the job and now we have to work hard and continue winning games,” said the Belgian tactician

Failing to capitalize on their numerical advantage, the draw left the 11-time winners top at the summit of the 17-team league on 34 points with fear of surrendering their lead to Leopards who have a game in hand.

Four points separate the top four teams with Kariobangi Sharks joining the title race mix after also resuming the league with a 1-0 victory over Kakamega Homeboyz that sees them leapfrog KCB to third in the log with 31 points.

The bankers dropped to fourth with 30 points after their stalemate with leaders Tusker.

Meanwhile, defending champions’ coach Vaz Pinto believes they are not out of the title race after K'Ogalo moved into sixth place on the log with 22 points in the wake of their 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars.

Despite trailing leaders Tusker with 12 points and with two games in hand, Vaz Pinto remains patient ahead of the second leg of the season where he is looking to make amends.

“Nothing is impossible in football. I believe we still have time and if we work on our mistakes we did in the match against City Stars I believe we will get there. We need more wins but we will tackle game after game and see after that how we progress,” Pinto said.

Sofapaka moved to the bottom half table after a man of the match performance by former Gor Mahia midfielder Lawrence Juma inspired them to a 2-0 win over moneybags Wazito FC to move to ninth in the standings with 19 points.

However, 2008 champions Mathare United are finding the going tougher after a barren draw against Vihiga United left them bottom of the standings with seven points.

Despite playing 14 matches, the Slum Boys continue to linger in the relegation zone after winning only a single match.

Four draws were registered in the weekend with Western Stima, Posta Rangers, Bandari and Bidco United sharing the spoils alongside Tusker, KCB, Mathare and Vihiga.

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