Post Match: Ulinzi (H)

Leopards beat Ulinzi Stars 2-1 in the home match played at Mumias.

Futaa reported:-

AFC Leopards registered a league double over Ulinzi Stars with a 2 – 1 win over the military side at the Mumias Sports Complex to rise to second spot temporarily in the Tusker premier League (TPL) log.

Leopards kicked off with pace and a speedy surge by Paul Were attracted a foul from Kevin Ouma just on the edge of the box. Jonas Nahimana expertly took the resultant free kick to beat Jacktone Odhiambo in the second minute for the opener, his third career goal against the army side.

The early concession shook the military side and they piled pressure on the home side in search of a quick equaliser but AFC Leopards, with five defensive players in the starting team did well to keep them at bay.

As they headed to the break, the only negative statistic that AFC carried was the yellow card to their stand in captain Mike Barasa for a needless handball and he was deservedly withdrawn in the second half for Allan Wanga.

Wanga should have doubled the scores for the Nairobi side after being well picked out by the impressive Paul Were on 53 minutes but with just the keeper to beat, he shot high and wide to the relief of the Ulinzi Stars defenders.

Late drama was to be witnessed at the Mumias Sports Complex, however. Stephen Ocholla latched on to a loose clearance by Patrick Matasi from a Stephen Waruru shot to get the equaliser after 80 minutes.

The visitors, still in celebration mode, conceded a corner kick that was taken by Charles Okwemba and poorly cleared. The ball fell on Victor Ochieng’s path and the youngster’s well powered shot beat Jacktone Odhiambo for the second time in the game.

With all the top three sides winning on the day, AFC Leopards remain third on the log with 51 points while Ulinzi in fourth place with 43 points, stay in danger of falling further down if Thika United win on Sunday against Western Stima

MichezoAfrika reported:-

AFC Leopards continued their dominance over Ulinzi Stars with a 2-1 win against the soldiers at the Mumias Sports complex on Saturday afternoon. A 1^st minute goal by Jonas Nahimana and a late strike from Victor Ochieng’ ensured Stephen Ochollah’s equalizer did nothing but add to the scoresheet.

Leopards had a perfect start scoring from a set piece in the first minute. Jonas Nahimana headed in from a Charles Okwemba freekick after Kelvin Ouma hacked down Paul Were on the extreme left.

The goal caught the soldiers flat footed as they were yet to settle in the match. However, they recovered gradually and they had plenty of chances in the first half.

Stephen Ochollah had a shot go wide after good build up from the back. Stephen Waruru had two chances back to back on the left but he failed to make both of them count. Evans Amwoka had the clearest of chances with half an hour gone after he beat the offside trap but he had a heavy first touch with only Patrick Matasi to beat.

Stephen Waruru had another perfect chance with five minutes to the breather when he slid into a Wycliffe Ochomo pass but the intended tap in went wide at the far post.

In the second half, the soldiers started with pressure as Leopards sought to close down the game. Allan Wanga came in for Mike Barasa while Idrissa Rajab paved way for Martin Imbalambala.

Allan Muhati came in for Ulinzi Stars in place of Wycliffe Ochomo and the striker had an immediate impact but his shot went wide from a quick counter.

Stephen Waruru had another clearest of chances in the 55^th minute with keeper Patrick Matasi out of his line, but he chipped over the bar when he had better options to pass the ball.

On the hour mark, Victor Ochieng had a chance for Leopards only for his shot on the half turn to be saved by Jacktone Odhiambo. The keeper dropped the ball and picked it up again resulting in an indirect freekick that was wasted for a fruitless corner.

Allan Wanga had a chance alone in the box with a free header from an Edwin Baraza cross heading over the bar when it was easiest scoring than missing.

15 minutes to go, Stephen Ochollah restored parity with a powered shot from inside the box after a quick counter which saw Stephen Waruru cut back a 45 pass from the left flank. However, the soldiers' joy was short lived as just a minute later, Victor Ochieng’ restored Leopards’ lead from another set piece when he tapped in from a corner.

Jan Koops’ charges managed to sustain the pressure for the hard fought win, though Ulinzi would blame themselves for wasting chance after chance.

Nation wrote:-

There was no change in the three-horse race for the Tusker Premier League title as leaders Tusker, second-placed Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, at position three, all won to almost guarantee a photo finish to the season

In Mumias, Leopards snatched a late winner in dramatic fashion to down Ulinzi Stars 2-1, a result that effectively buried the soldiers’ remaining title hopes.

Standard wrote:-

All the top teams won their matches as the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) title chase looks set to go to their wire.

Gor Mahia and champions Tusker struggled against their opponents before registering slim 1-0 victories that ensured they maintained their positions on the log.

Defending Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker stayed on top for another week stopping a stubborn Muhoroni Youth side 1-0  at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The visitors had looked determined to pick a point from their opponents with good play in the first half. The Alfred Imonje boys defended well in the entire first half but the brewers also proved to be too wasteful.

The goal which made all the difference for Tusker was scored by David Ochieng’ in the 50th minute.

Muhoroni’s Collins Netto wasted a last minute effort that would have allowed the visitors to pick a crucial point away when he shot out with only the goalkeeper to beat.

At City Stadium, Gor were made to sweat before running away with a 1-0 win over Karuturi Sports in the second match at the venue.

Ugandan import Dan Sserunkuma scored for Gor in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot.

The win ensures that Gor stay in second position as AFC Leopards remain third after stopping Ulinzi Stars 2-1 at Mumias Complex.

KPL website wrote:-

Rwandan international Jonas Nahimana struck from a free kick after just two minutes to give AFC Leopards the lead at Mumias.

After Leopards had comfortably held on to the lead until the 80th minute, Stephen Waruru pounced on a loose ball and powerfully shot straight at Patrick Matasi who punched at Stephen Ocholla’s feet and Ocholla did no mistake from close range.

Then Leopards re-took the lead just after two minutes, Victor Ochieng’ scoring from close range after a corner taken by Charles Okwemba.

Remaining matches for the top three teams:-

Tusker - v Gor Mahia (A), v Western Stima (H), v Nairobi City Stars (A)
Gor Mahia - v Tusker (H), v Muhoroni (A), v Thika United (H)
AFC Leopards - v Oserian (A), v Mathare United (H), v Chemelil (A)