Monday, February 25, 2013

Post Match: Chemelil (A)

AFC Leopards have yet to win an opening day fixture in the Kenyan Premier League since they came back to top flight football. Yesterday's game ended in a draw just like year's opening day game against Chemelil only that this time it wasn't 0-0 but 1-1.

Futaa wrote:-

The opening day of the 2012 Tusker Premier League saw Chemelil Sugar frustrate AFC Leopards and it has happened again this year.

Jared Omwenga Obwoge and Noah Abich exchanged equal blows to see their first match of the 2013 Premier League end in a 1-1 draw at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, Sunday 24 February 2013.

Omwenga scored the opening goal of the game midway through the first half and it looked like it would be the match winner until Abich converted from the penalty spot three minutes from time after Paul Were was fouled in the area.

Mike Baraza's sending off in the second half added to the woe for Tom Olaba's men who huffed and puffed all day.

Leopards gave debuts to Patilla Omoto, Martin Musalia and Anthony Kimani but it was not to be a happy day for the men in blue as the well drilled Chemelil proved hard to break down.

Leopards tried hard to get back in the game after conceding but were ultimately messed up by Baraza's red card for a second bookable offence, the second of which was in controversial circumstances, though they will be thankful to take a point home in the circumstances.

With the draw, Chemelil can enjoy a point no one expected them to collect while for Leopards, they will know they have to improve to have any chance of landing the Premier League title.
 
Nation wrote:-
 
 
Referee James Kagera returned from a six-month suspension but should have stayed even longer in the cold as he made a farce of the Kenyan Premier League game between AFC Leopards and Chemelil Sugar which ended in a one all draw at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
At City Stadium Kenya Commercial Bank hammered City Stars 4-0 as Bandari got a rude welcome falling by a solitary goal to Ulinzi Stars.
Kagera was suspended last season for awarding AFC Leopards a dubious penalty against City Stars and he did exactly that again yesterday, awarding Leopards what looked a questionable penalty as Ingwe trailed 0-1 to the sugar millers.
Maybe, Kagera was trying to mend fences with AFC Leopards fans who had hurled all sorts of missiles onto the pitch minutes earlier after he controversially red-carded AFC Leopards striker Mike Baraza.
Baraza had been ruled offside, but this was rather questionable as he rushed to a back pass from a Chemelil defender.
When he questioned the linesman why he had been penalized for the off side, Kagera flushed a yellow card at him.
Moments later the referee showed him the red card and all hell broke loose as Leopards fans started hurling missiles on to the pitch. The game was halted for close to 20 minutes.
Game wise though, there was nothing to write home about and AFC Leopards will have to dig deep to sort out their midfield and striking inadequacies. Partilla Omoto, a teenager brought from Kariobangi Sharks showed some flashes of brilliance but his inexperience was evident. Same to Noah Wafula, who came in after the break.
Leopards’ defence was solid, Noah Abich, Anthony Kimani, Idrissa Rajab and Eric Masika covering goalkeeper Martin Musalia very well but the midfield was totally out of form until the introduction of Charles Okwemba.
Jared Omwenga gave Chemelil an early lead when he beat the AFC Leopards defence to put the ball behind Musalia.
AFC Leopards, third last season, struggled to pick up. They ended the first half without a shot on goal.
Leopards moment though came in late in the second half when Kagera adjudged Paul Were to have been upended in the box when the player looked to have dived.

MichezoAfrika wrote:-


AFC Leopards and home team Chemelil FC played to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the 2013 Kenya Premier League seasom at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

AFC coach Tom Olaba paraded four of his new signings in the starting team starting Michael Musalia in goal, Anthony Kimani and Noah Abich in defense while Patilla Omotto got the nod in  midfield alongside Bernard Mang’oli and Martin Imbalambala.

Chemelil started proceedings powerfully and were rewarded when Jared Obwoge sank in past Musalia in the 13th minute.

AFC who looked uncoordinated in midfield play attempted a comeback in the remaining half hour of the first half raiding Chemelil goal area frequently.Paul Were’s runs on the left flank frequently tortured Chemelil defense line but there was always poor combination and lack of perfect execution in the final touch inside the box.

In the 37th minute, Paul Were’s cut into the box was cut out as he attempted to deliver a 45 home pass to Victor Ochieng but the serve was too weak and was easily cleared.

Two minutes after the start of the second half, Martin Musalia came to the rescue of AFC Leopards saving with his left foot a goal bound shot after Obwoge capitalized on a defensive blunder. Alone with the keeper, the striker failed to burrow the ball beyond Musalia.

Olaba made a double substitution bringing out Victor Ochieng for and Patilla Omotto and introduced Charles  Okwemba in midfield.

New substitute Wafula added immediate power in the Ingwe attack line making a good run on the flanks to deliver to Bernard Mang’oli whose final shot was blocked.

Trouble started twelve minutes after restart when Mike Baraza was ruled offside. He protested the ruling and was given matching orders after landing a second yellow. This sparked protests from the AFC Leopards fans forcing temporary stoppage of  the match. The fans pelted water bottles into the stadium  but after appeals from the AFC Leopards’ players, calm restored and the match continued.

A good combination between new boy Wafula and Were almost yielded an equalizer but the latter’s last touch failed to tap the ball home.

New signing Noah Abich leveled from the spot  in the dying minutes to salvage  a point for AFC leopards.Paul Were had dribbled his way inside the box only to be fouled thus occasioning a clear penalty.

Chemelil Sugar coach Mike Mururi lauded the perfomance of his team afrter the match but blamed the match official for awarding AFC the penalty.

"It was a poor decision to award the penalty. That was wrong officiating. However I thank my boys for a good match. We were the better side." He said.

Before the match, Leopards fan Lugendo had said:


 

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Pre Match: Chemelil (A)

Leopards take on Chemelil at the Kasarani Stadium this afternoon.

Supersport writes:-

Kenyan Premier League [KPL] giants AFC Leopards will be hoping to break their Chemelil Sugar jinx when the two sides meet in the season opener, on Sunday afternoon at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Leopards have not beaten the millers in their last ten meetings, but with their recent off-season acquisitions, coach Tom Olaba will be looking forward to starting the season on a positive note. 

The two teams met in last term’s opening match that ended in a barren draw before Chemelil extended their dominance over Leopards, stunning them 1-0 in the final match of the season. 

It is a match that will see Olaba, a former Chemelil coach/Harambee Stars assistant, re-unite with his former national team player Mike Mururi, who is currently the millers’ tactician. 

Leopards will bank on the box to box midfielder Patilla Omoto, who is expected to make his KPL debut, while the hosts will rely on influential midfielder Gearson Likono, a former AFC player, and the newly signed striker Steven Wakhanya. 

Probable starting XI

Chemelil: Onyango Fredrick (GK), Edwin Misiko, Agembe James, Odero Charles[Cpt], Willis Ouma, Mwaniki Jonathan, Victor Omondi, Tony Opondo, Gearson Likono , Steven Wakhanya, Athman Mzee Matano. 

Subs: Japheth Wamunga, Robert Indumuli, Smith Ouko, Kevin Omondi, Gerrald Obwoge, John Onami 

AFC: Martin Musalia [GK], Edwin Wafula, Idrissa Rajab, Antony Kimani, Eric Masika, Martin Imbalambala [Cpt], Paul Were, Patilla Omoto, Allan Wanga, Bernard Mangoli, Victor Ochieng. 

Subs: Patrick Matasi, Jonas Nahimana, Noah Abich, Floribert Ndayisaba, Charles Okwemba, Mike Baraza, Noah Wafula. 

Futaa writes:-

The Chemelil Sugar FC squad to face off with AFC Leopards in the two sides’ Tusker Premier League (TPL) opener at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani has been released.

Fredrick Onyango will continue in goal after establishing himself in the role in the 2012 season. He will be shielded by veterans Smith Ouko and Willis Ouma in defence while upfront Gearson Likono will be charged with the goal getting duties alongside youthful Jared Omwenga.

Starting XI: Fred Onyango (GK), Willis Ouma, Smith Ouko, James Omino, Charles Odero, Jonathan Mwaniki, Victor Omondi, Daniel Mutahi, Tony Opondo, Gearson Likonoh, Jared Omwenga.
Subs: Jairus Adira, Robert Indimuli, Asman Mzee, James Macharia, Geoffrey Maina, Isemeki Andrew.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Vision 2013


The following provisional fixture list for AFC Leopards in 2013, is bound to change from time to time.

Kenya Premier League


09 Feb    v     Homeboyz    H    Bukhungu 15.00


17 Feb    v     Bandari       H      Nyayo 14.00


24 Feb    v     Sony Sugar    H      Nyayo 16.00


02 Mar    v     Karuturi        A    Karuturi 15.00


10 Mar    v     W. Stima     H      Nyayo 15.00


17 Mar    v     Muhoroni        A    Muhoroni 15.00


23 Mar    v     KCB     H      Nyayo 15.00


30 Mar    v     Chemelil      A    Chemelil 15.00


06 Apr    v     Tusker       H      Nyayo 15.00


14 Apr    v     City Stars    A      Nyayo 15.00


21 Apr    v     Gor Mahia   H      Nyayo 15.00


28 Apr    v     Ulinzi      H       Nyayo   15.00


04 May   v     Mat Utd    A       Nyayo 15.00


11 May   v     Sofapaka    A       Nyayo 15.00


19 May   v     Thika Utd    H        Nyayo 15.00


06 Jul   v      Thika Utd   A        Thika 15.00


13 Jul    v     Sofapaka   A        Nyayo 15.00


21 Jul    v      Mat Utd   H         Nyayo 15.00


04 Aug    v      Ulinzi    A         Afraha 15.00


10 Aug   v     Gor Mahia     A     Nyayo 15.00


18 Aug   v     City Stars     H     Nyayo 15.00


01 Sep   v      Tusker   A         Kasarani 15.00


07 Sep   v      Chemelil    H         Nyayo 15.00


15 Sep   v      KCB      A         Nyayo 15.00


29 Sep   v      Muhoroni  H        Nyayo 15.00


06 Oct   v      W. Stima   A       Bukhungu 15.00


13 Oct   v      Karuturi       H        Nyayo 15.00


19 Oct   v     Sony Sugar   A        Awendo 15.00


26 Oct   v     Bandari    A        Mombasa 15.00


02 Nov   v     Homeboyz   A        Nyayo 15.00


Top 8


06/13/20/27 Mar* v TBA *  TBA               TBA


10/17 Apr* v TBA *        TBA                    TBA

24 Apr/1 May* v TBA *   TBA                     TBA

26 May v TBA*               TBA                     TBA


FKF Cup


29/30 Jun v TBA *            TBA                   TBA


27/28 Jul v TBA *             TBA                   TBA


25/25 Aug v TBA *             TBA                 TBA


21/22 Sep v TBA *             TBA                 TBA


20 Oct v TBA *                 TBA                  TBA


Kenya Power Charity Cup


02 Feb v TBA *              TBA                 Kasarani


02 Feb v TBA *              TBA                 Kasarani

Awards


*TBA KPL Awards


*TBA Ingwe Awards

Hapi Nolia Edition

LESSONS FROM 2012: NOSTALGIA AND HAPI NOLIA EDITION
Guest post by Anthony 'Lanx' Lungaho

We've seen it all, the highs, the lows and the mid is weak. 2012 was an amazing year, with lots of lessons, here's to an even greater 2013; the looong, greatest 12 of 2012.

12. It takes a village to raise a team, it takes a village idiot to almost destroy it. Ingwe's march to glory was scuttled not by Oguda, or Tusker, or Gor, or a towel - it was disrupted by our own who took the club to court, mishandled the playing unit and TB, wrangled unnecessarily and even stole the club's cash. 'Shetani gani huyo hata hajui kazi ile imefanywa...'

11. It was the year of new learnings, and new confusions. It started with team line-timeline-replicas cc. Pamela Lutta, and reached the peak with the FKF statement that 'the results of Gor vs AFC will be held in abeyance'; I will never forget Osinde proclaiming, 'Asanda! EffuKeYeff wamesema tukuwe na vuyanzi! Nyamweya juu!'.

10. AFC Leopards SC is a recognised mental affliction. This year we witnessed many symptoms of Ingwemulalulytis, such as Translatiosis, where fans think in KiPokot but speak in Fat-Ingilish-Etuketet-London; for instance Aseka's 'You have gardening - uko na ushamba', Gaxdon's 'Hippopotamus of theirs - Ingwe ni Kiboko yao' and El Cap's 'I am up of things - Niko juu ya vitu'.

9. Ingwemulalulytis which was most prevalent on match days, (all the way till late at poolside cc Apacha, Mukokha, Oj), but it always started here on the wall. Credit to Dj Skush aka Mbulakatyooo, TJ Choram aka 'Pause!' and Sam MpEdna Wahu for introducing the hot alapam; Ingwe Riidims. Riidim of the year was undoubtedly MpEdna's 'Gdi Ndi Gdi Ndi Gdi Ndi - Gada Riitsim'. Mbulakatyooo!

8. The matches were often the climax of Ingwemulalulytis, from Bern Ndeda Wanga/Mayuka/Renard/Gyan/Ingwe First XI screaming MATAAASII loud enough to awaken ancestors at Langata cemetery (even during throw ins when Matasi was nowhere near), to Cax and Victor drinking Jik only to black out and wake up the next Tuesday asking 'ngapi ngapi' Mabango style, to Weru speaking in more languages than the disciples on the day of pentecost when Barasa closed KCB, and to all of us, the republik that watched the Leopard prey, danced to the gada 'hoover' and sang ourselves hoarse; may Ingwemulalulytis live forever and double in 2013.

Mulalu Moment of the year was the Isukutieer on panji against Chemelil, suddenly shouted, 'Hii Tunisia leo wamelemea Oliech namnakani!!'

7. There were moments when AFC came dangerously close to becoming a cult, and no ocassion more so than during the 6 - 2 drubbing of Rangers. Kollo and Sober drunkenly tried to walk on water, fans invaded the pitch kupiga nyasi duster, and Shem aka Masiolo, completely drenched, hang his jersey in the rain to dry!

6. Out of town started for some of us with Afraha in 2010, then Mombasa, Thika and Naivasha in 2011, but in 2012 even having followed the Leopard everywhere, the most memorable fixtures were without a doubt the ones in Mumias. It's enroute to 'Pukasi' that we discovered Amalemba Fwaya, Trokupa of Kabula, saw Diamond celebrate a 'world record' of running 100m in 28 seconds, where 'Mwana wa Laban' alikatika kukatika with no music (usicheze na amalemba fwaya), where DT, Chair, Mabango na wengine ambao hawako mbele ya korti hii 'acquired' a new chang'aa by the name DOCK (walilewa 2 weeks); and in Mumias also where the most vibrant branch was born; 'Kuna Nduru Gizani Branch'.

Bora ikuwe Saturday, 2013 Mumias oyee!

5. 2012 saw us celebrate some of the most incredible goals, and some of the most epic victories ever. There was Barry vs KCB, Bagaye vs Rangers, Wanga rounding the keeper in the FKF cup, Okwemba running Thika rugged...but was there a greater strike than Victor Ochieng vs Karuturi? 87 minutes of frustration. Determined tackle from Paco. Purposeful charge upfield by Masika. Pin point cross from Wanga. What a bullet by Ochieng. Chair, Apache, Samwana, Otero, Mabango Inc and thousands of Leopards all lose their heads. Such are the moments that make me proud to be a Leopard - and the moments that make me salivate for the new season.

4. This was the season when a '13th man' was discovered thanks to the FKF performance of the Mapunda Towel. But let us also celebrate our own practitioners - the supporters who tried everything to 'help' Ingwe -from wale wa 'kushikilia pandy' cc Edna, Aidah, Kamle; to wale wa 'ni nyinyi mnafunga team toeni kofia na belt hata lichaketi' cc Pweza, Angulu, Namai; to those who walitudanganya watapitisha mvua na wakashindwa furutei tukanyeshewa kama magomia - Onyino, Mabango, Denis Chesa, Omusawa, Wanyore Choir. I salute y'all.

3. Though Ingwe gave us breathtaking highs, we also did not escape heartbreaking lows; the loss in a foreign country, the inexplicable loss to Gor, the tipping point at Afraha that saw our brothers locked up, the self sabotage at milimani as well as within the club, the dark days when we only seemed to have wrangling over the anthem or the replicas or false mourning or the mid is weak or 'businessmen' or subtribal feuds or foreal...those are the events that we must bury in 2012. Some low tides are inevitable for such is life, but the ones that we inflict on ourselves must never return; so help us God.

2. 2012 was incredible because of 20 or so Leopards who valiantly clawed and kicked for us, but mainly because of the thousands more who gave their souls for AFC. The songs in the stands from thanking 'matako ya nyuki' to abusing 'ya referee'; to the Ingwe Ladies and Ingwelets who made our matches that much more beautiful; to those who taught us so much more about our club, Nandi, EM, Luyuku, Bwibo, Tasso, Ambani, Selebwa et al; the unsung heroes like Cassim Zuberi, the Nakuru bodaboda chap who attends all games and many more we may have no idea of; to the suporters who got involved in electing a new office and averting silent crises; and to the many Leopards who got involved in the biggest campaign of a generation - to bring our bus home...YOU are the Leopard. In whichever way you contributed to our unforgettable 2012, salute, the journey to glory is unfinished, may we celebrate together even more in 2013.

1. The greatest lesson of 2012, however, was the reason why AFC is the greatest club in the land: We're not the greatest just because of our trophies and our heritage and our fanbase and whichever other things: We're great because many Leopards in countless ways decide to do great things for AFC; choose to give of themselves wholeheartedly to the club; and refuse to let the crest burn. May we always remember.

To a great season, to victory, to an incredible 2013.

Lomba injira, INGWE yetsanga!