Rupia on target as AFC Leopards claw Homeboyz in Kakamega

AFC Leopards SC striker Elvis Rupia in action against Gor Mahia FC during their FKF Premier League Match at the MISC, Kasarani stadium on February 7, 2021.[Stafford Ondego, Standard]

AFC Leopards bagged their eighth win of the season after narrowly edging out Kakamega Homeboyz 2-1 in a closely contested Football Kenya Federation-Premier League tie played at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, yesterday.

In Nairobi, Kariobangi Sharks thrashed second-placed KCB 3-0 to extend the bankers’ winless run to three matches as Sofapaka climbed up the standings to ninth in the log after narrowly edging out Posta Rangers 2-1.

Bandari moved joint third in the standings with AFC Leopards after edging out hosts Ulinzi Stars 2-0 at Kericho Green Stadium.

In Kakamega, visiting AFC Leopards scored two first half goals to condemn Kakamega Homeboyz to their sixth loss of the season.

AFC Leopards SC striker Elvis Rupia and Thomas Wainaina of Kakamega Homeboyz FC in action during their FKF-PL Premier League match in Kakamega county on February 28, 2021. [Courtesy]

Clyde Senaji and Elvis Rupia gave Leopards a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead before Allan Wanga pulled one back for Homeboyz early in the second half.

The match started on a high note with Leopards going on attack straight from kick off and after 10 minute, Senaji’s 18-yard area strike found the back of the net to give the visitors an early lead.

Two minutes later, coach Patrick Aussems replaced the injured Tedian Esilaba with Robinson Kamura as Leopards continued to threaten.

In the 20th minute, Homeboyz almost found the equaliser but there was nobody in the box to meet Estone Esiye’s free kick from the left.

Ingwe’s resilience would, however, pay off as Rupia doubled their lead at the half hour mark — extending his season’s tally to 11 goals.

In the 35th minute, Wanga had a glorious one-on-one chance for Homeboyz but Ingwe’s shot stopper Benjamin Ochan stood tall to keep the scores 2-0.

Homeboyz thought they had scored in the added minutes of first half through Esiye, but the goal was flagged for offside.

On restart, former Harambee Stars striker Wanga pulled a goal back for Homeboyz in the 57th minute. Numerous attempts by the hosts to restore parity were dealt with Ingwe’s defence.

The win took Leopards to 25 points, same as Bandari, who defeated Ulinzi Stars 2-0 in Kericho. 

Darius Mnyambo and Keegan Ndemi were on target for the dockers who bagged their fourth consecutive win which took them third in the standings.

At Kasarani Annex, Erick Kapaito extended his goal tally to 14 goals after inspiring Kariobangi Sharks to a massive 3-0 win over KCB.

Kapaito scored in the second min after being set up by James Mazembe before Bonface Onyango netted Sharks second goal in the 25th min from a Patilah Omotto assist. Mazembe made it 3-0 in the 67th min with a solo effort as Sharks moved to fifth in the standings with 24 points.

Elsewhere, Titus Achesa and Lawrence Juma hit the target for Sofapaka to take them four places up the table to eighth.