Post Match: City Stars (A)

Leopards suffered a shock 0-3 loss against bottom side Nairobi City Stars.

Wilson Mathu of Futaa writes:

AFC Leopards were dimmed by a shocking 3-0 defeat in the hands of City Stars at the Nyayo Stadium Saturday afternoon.

City Stars proved a thorn in the flesh of Leopards from early in the match with Dan Sserunkuma being the man to watch.

Ingwe had an injury problem to deal with in the 40^th minute when Erick Masika was forced out with an injury in the 40^th minute and was replaced by Charles Okwemba.

The second half was action packed as the bottom placed team return with their entire arsenal ready to chase back Leopards back to their den.

Their efforts paid off ten minutes into the second half when Dan Sserunkuma finally got his way to notch the opener for the Stars.

Boniface Onyango was at it in the 64^th minute notching a second for the Stars with Ssrunkuma completing his brace four minutes later.

Ingwe defense appeared to struggle with the absence of Erick Masika and City Stars made inroads into their half more often than not.

The Ugandan could have made it four in the 75^th minute but Matasi was at hand to make the much needed save to leave it at 3-0.

The win lifts City Stars from relegation with 11 points while AFC’s lead was reduced to within two points from Tusker FC.

Timothy Olubulu of MichezoAfrika writes:-

An impressive Danni Serunkuma struck a brace as Nairobi City Stars totally outplayed and skinned league leaders AFC Leopards 3-0 in a thrilling KPL Top vs Bottom fixture at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After a barren first half, bottom placed Kawangware boys came back with a no nonsense attitude  with Serunkuma striking twice and assisting the other in an outing Ingwe fans, players and bench will want to forget fast if not immediately.

The first warning signs for the Leopards came in the first half when their former boy Justus Basweti struck a beautiful volley that came off the bar. City Stars had started the match strongly and had made sure that they had sealed all the spaces defensively and were cautious in attack.

Victor Ochieng’ had a good chance for the Leopards in the 10th minute but he missed a sitter with no one marking him.

Allan Wanga returning from injury was well taken care of by the City Stars defense who made sure the former HAGL man did not have room to try his magic. Jan Koops was forced into an early sub after Erick Masika was injured. In came Charles Okwemba and this forced skipper Martin Imbalambala to be drawn back to defense.

Leopards could however not unlock the City Stars puzzle and the match went into rest with both teams at par.

Come the second half, it was an uphill task for the Leopards who looked lost in midfield and their attack did not click.

Ten minutes from the restart, Dani Serunkuma who was a constant thorn in the Leopards flesh proved just why he is one of the best rated attackers in the league this season when he notched in the first goal. Chesting down wonderfully a Victor Ashango freekick, the Ugandan import turned and shot into Matasi’s far right corner as the Leopards defense stood helpless.

Seven minutes later he turned from scorer to provider when he laid a lovely pass to Boniface Onyango who struck a wonderful shot that keeper Matasi could only wave at as it went in. A quick counter from their own half gifted substitute George Odary who passed on to the provider Danni.

Danni completed his brace and completed the skinning of the Leopard 20 minutes from time in cool fashion. A lofted ball from the City Stars own 18 yard area found Danni isolated alone in the other half. The Ugandan raced in his traditional with runs and fortune smiled his way as the only defender in his way, Jonas Nahimana,slipped. With keeper Matasi advancing towards the ball, Danni simply put the ball out of his path and into the net.

From then on Leopards looked like a lost group in the wild and most of their attacks never seemed to bear any fruits. Their midfield did not combine well and their attacks were thwarted repeatedly by a determined Stars.

The win lifts City Stars out of bottom place and reduces AFC Leopards’ lead at the top. Since their loss to Tusker, they have only managed a draw away to Karuturi.

Despite the loss, AFC is still perched at the summit of the KPL log with two points ahead of second placed Tusker who came from a goal down to beat Rangers 4-2 in an earlier match played at the same Nyayo stadium venue on Saturday afternoon.

Pre Match: City Stars (A)

Leopards is finally back to the city.

Collins Okinyo of Supersport predicts a 2-1 victory for Leopards.

City Stars are deep in the relegation zone propping up the other 15 teams with only eight points. It’s a scenario similar to last season where they survived in the last day of the league and they will need to summon those powers of revival to get out of the bottom again. 

They face league leaders AFC Leopards who have not won their last two encounters but still lead the table on 27 points. 

Strikers Allan Wanga and Mike Baraza are back in the fold after missing last week’s encounter. 

Prediction: 1-2

Denis Machio of MichezoAfrika writes:-

Ugandan Abbas Kiwalabye will this afternoon make a comeback to the Ingwe’s starting line up after close to two months absence due to a knee injury. Abbas will start in his left full back position alongside Edwin Wafula on the right full back, Erick Masika and Jonas Nahimana in central defense ahead of Patrick Matasi who starts in the post.

AFC Leopards will be looking at maintaining their advantage at the summit of the KPL log where they lead with 27 points. They play bottom placed Nairobi City Stars at the Nyayo stadium this afternoon.

Lead strikers Allan Wanga and Mike Barasa also make a come back in the starting fold after missing their last match with injuries.Wanga will partner upfront with Victor Ochieng and Mike Barasa to lead the search for goals that could extend their supremacy.

Head coach Jan Koops will employ an attack minded midfield that includes Salim Kinje, Martin Imbalambala and Bernard Mang’oli with Charles Okwemba making a comeback after weeks of absence due to sickness but will start from the bench.

Tickets are selling at the venue at Kshs 400 and Kshs 200.

LINE UP:Patrick Matasi, Edwin Wafula, Abbas Kiwalabye, Eric Masika, Jonas Nahimana, Martin Imbalambala, Bernard Mang’oli, Salim Kinje, Mike Barasa, Allan Wanga, Victor Ochieng.

Subs:Barnabas Tiema, Robert Syongo, Amon Muchiri, Augustine Etemesi, Laurent Tumba and Oscar Kadenge. 

Wilson Mathu of Futaa writes:-

Kenya Premier League side Nairobi City Stars has promised to stop the marauding AFC Leopards strikers in the top-bottom clash at the Nyayo Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Club team manager Laurence Njenga told futaa.com that the Stars were determined to stop the strikers who have dominated the KPL scorers’ charts this season.

-We have been working on stopping the strikers by perfecting our defense and it has been working well so far.

-The team is very fine at the moment and we respect them but we are prepared to give our all in the match.

The two will face off in the second match of the Saturday double header at the Nyayo Stadium starting 1500Hrs.

City Stars are placed bottom of the log while Ingwe are top separated by a 19 points difference.

The State of the Nation

Here is a look at how the leading daily newspaper in Kenya, Daily Nation, incorporating the Sunday Nation, has covered the AFC Leopards SC matches so far this season 2012...

The first game against Chemelil

The second game against Mathare United

The third game against Oserian

 

The fourth game against Ulinzi Stars

The fifth game against Muhoroni Youth

The sixth game against Gor Mahia

The seventh game against Western Stima

The eighth game against KCB

The ninth game against Rangers

The tenth game against Thika United

The eleventh game against Tusker

The twelfth game against Karuturi Sports 

     

We keep these statistics to show the print and photo media coverage of the Leopards, the fairness of the coverage and extent of the coverage.

The Nation coverage has been excellent so far and out of the twelve matches, they have covered all but one, the game against KCB which received a black out in terms of the post match coverage. 

The Nation also has pre-match coverage and other reviews after the post match coverage including the League Table each Tuesday.

Based on the coverage thus far, this blog recommends the Daily Nation to Leopards fans.

Updates of the other rounds will be posted on this post below.

The thirteenth game against Nairobi City Stars

 

The fourteenth game against Sofapaka

The fifteenth game against Sony Sugar

The sixteenth game against Sofapaka

 

The sevententh game against Sony Sugar

The eighteenth game against Nairobi City Stars

The nineteenth game against Karuturi

The twentienth game against Rangers

The twenty first game against Thika United

The twenty second game against KCB

The twenty third game against Tusker

The twenty fourth game against Western Stima

    

The twenty fifth game against Gor Mahia

The twenty sixth game against Muhoroni Youth

The twenty seventh game against Ulinzi

The twenty eighth game against Oserian

The twenty ninth game against Mathare United

Post Match: Karuturi (A)

You better start paying attention to Collins Okinyo's predictions. He predicted a 1-1 draw, and the score at the end of the game was 1-1.

Here is how the wires captured and reported the action:-

Timothy Olobulu of MichezoAfrika wrote:-

Erick Masika scored in the 49th minute as AFC leopards came from a goal down to hold home team Karuturi Sports at their “Old Trafford” backyard in Naivasha.AFC Leopards had succumbed to a 13th minute goal from Benjamin Oketch.

The flower men had began the match on a high taking advantage of AFC Leopards’s long time to get into the match. In the 13th minute, John Mwangi was fouled from 40 yards out. Benjamin Oketch was handed the opportunity and  he sent a ferocious shot that evaded keeper Patrick Matasi for the first goal of the match.

Kennedy Oduor and John Mwangi were constant treats to the Leopards backline but the finishing was not quite on point.

Just as the first half was coming to an end, Leopards almost slipped into a second goal. Erick Masika slipped and missed a clearance from a long ball in. Allan Otindo picked up the ball and raced towards goal but the best he could do was shoot straight at keeper Patrick Matasi.

Come the second half coupled with some light showers,AFC Leopards came back marauding seeking for the equalizer to settle their nerves.  An attack masterminded by Salim Kinje from the right brought some nervous moments into the Karuturi back yard.

Jimmy Bagaye was fouled in the process. Kinje took the resultant freekick. Masika who was lurking in the 6-yard box dived in but his header came off a Karuturi defender.i

Kinje and Bernard Mang’oli started short the resultant corner with Knje swinging in the cross. Masika once again popped his head in and notched in his first goal of season for the Leopards.

The game was stopped in the 59th minute after Karuturi Coach Michael Nam was given the matching orders for protesting a decision. Nam refused to walk out of the pitch but concerted efforts from the team officials and the players cooled him down and he agreed to leave.

The game continued but none of the teams could get a second goal. Both resorted to cautious play with the rains pounding and making the pitch slippery.

Despite the draw,AFC still leads in the KPL log with 27 points,5 better than second placed Tusker FC who have a game at hand.

Mwangi Gichau of Kenyanstar wrote:-

Kenyan Premier League leaders AFC Leopards went five points clear after a 1-1 draw with Karuturi Sports at Old Trafford Stadium in Naivasha. Benjamin Oketch and Eric Masika scored in either half of the match played under rainy conditions.

The match was not without some drama as Karuturi coach Michael Nam was sent off in the second half for protesting against the referee's decision not to award a penalty for what looked like a Jonas Nahimana handball.

Coach Jan Koops made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Tusker last weekend, with Salim Kinje returning from injury and Laurent Tumba getting his first start of the season. Top scorers Allan Wanga and Mike Baraza were ruled out with injuries.

Karuturi enjoyed large chucks of possession in the first half with the Leopards' defence being broken through almost at will by Allan Otindo, John Mwangi and industrious midfielder Kennedy Oduor.

Benjamin Oketh put Karuturi ahead in the 17th minute with a stunning free kick from 30 yards to give the flowermen the deserved lead, after a foul on John Mwangi. The match was punctuated with knocks on several players, the biggest casulty being Ingwe's
Jimmy Bagaye.

Ingwe's first shot at goal came from Tumba's left footed strike straight at Karuturi keeper Michael Wanyika in the 39th minute. Kinje blazed a freekick over the bar two minutes later.

Karuturi broke on the counter attack moments later. Oduor fed Otindo who beat Eric Masika but could only see his shot fly into the hands of Patrick Matasi.

Leopards were the better side in the second half. Amon Muchiri came on for the shaky Robert Syongoh while injured Bagaye was replaced by Francis Chinjili.

Salim Kinje played a short corner kick with Bernard Mang'oli in the 50th minute. Mang'oli returned the ball to Kinje who floated a cross into the area for Masika to head into the net for the equaliser, his first for Leopards since signing from Gor Mahia.

Play was stopped for close to ten minutes as Nam refused to leave the pitch after being sent off. Nam had to be escorted out by police officers.

Oduor saw his free kick go just inches off target in the 65th minute. Chinjili could have netted the winnner for Ingwe but his hurried shot went wide with only Wanyika to beat in the 73rd minute.

Leopards held the flowermen to open the gap on top of the league to 5 points clear of second placed Tusker who face Sofapaka on Monday. Karuturi are 8th with 17 points.

Dennis Masinde Wandabwa of Futaa wrote:-

AFC Leopards extended their lead atop the Kenyan Premier League after coming from behind to hold Karuturi Sports to a 1-1 draw in a match played at the Karuturi Stadium in Naivasha, Sunday 29 April 2012.

Benjamin Oketch put Karuturi in the lead, with defender Eric Masika heading home his first for the club at the beggining of the second half. 

Karuturi scored after 16 minutes, Oketch crushing home a superb 40 yard freekick to silence the large travelling Leopards support at the Karuturi Stadium.

The flowermen would go on full throttle afterwards, in search of a second goal, but strikers Allan Otindo and John Mwangi failed to register anything of importance on Patrick Matasi's goal.

Leopards went into the half time break having had no shots on target and would have to up the ante in the second period to get something from the game.

Coach Jan Koops' words must have been magic, as they made the perfect start to the second half, Masika heading home a Victor Ochieng cross on 49 minutes, after a training ground set-piece routine also involving midfielder Salim Khamis.

A few minutes later, there was drama as Karuturi coach Micheal Nam was sent to the stands, this after walking onto the pitch in protest over a penalty claim. 

However after the goal and drama, things slowed down as the effects of a packed midfield and heavy rain that pounded the area started wearing in on the game.

Leopards made two changes with 25 minutes to go, Francis Chinjili and Amon Muchiri coming in for Jimmy Bageya and Robert Syongo.

Karuturi on the other hand brought in Jacob and Allan Omondi in search of forward impetus, but to no avail.

Leopards thus extend their lead to five points (27), over second placed Tusker FC, though the brewers have a game in hand. Karuturi on the other hand remain eighth with 17 points.

The Daily Nation carried this story:-

Eric Masika saved AFC Leopards from the jaws of defeat on Sunday, netting an equaliser against Karuturi Sports as the two sides shared the spoils on Sunday in Naivasha.

Masika headed home in the 49th minute as the league leaders, who struggled in the game, went home with a point.

Leopards Dutch coach, Jan Koops, was happy with a point after the 1-1 draw but once again was disappointed with his team’s general performance.

“At least we managed a point but I know we have so much work to do, especially in the defence and midfield,’’ he said.

Leopards found themselves chasing the game after the quarter hour mark when Benjamin Oketch put the flowermen ahead.

The goal was a wake-up call for Ingwe, who failed to win the midfield battle in the game.

Martin Imbalabala, the defensive cover in the Leopards’ midfield, struggled to cope with the speed of the game and the strikers were not getting the ball upfront.

But when the league leaders got a corner four minutes after the break, Masika rose high above the rest to head home and push Ingwe further at the top.

Leopards, who lost 2-0 to champions Tusker last weekend, now have 27 points from 12 outings in the league.

The Standard has this story:-

AFC Leopards failed to win for the second time in a row but will be glad with the point after being held to a 1-1 draw by Karuturi Sports in Naivasha.

After losing 2-0 last weekend to Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Tusker, Leopards were expecting to bounce back to winning ways and extending their lead at the top of the standings.

But with a huge contingent of fans behind them, Leopards fell to an early 16th minute goal from Benjamin Oketch, which threatened to spoil the party for the league leaders. Oketch scored with a brilliant free-kick that beat Patrick Matasi all the way in goal.

Eric Masika dropped from the national team Harambee Stars when the side was named last Friday, equalised for Leopards in the 49th minute heading home a Victor Ochieng’ free-kick.

After the goal, Karuturi coach Michael Nam was sent off to the stands for protesting a decision not to award his side what he deemed to have been a legitimate penalty.

In the 75th minute, Leopards coach Jaan Koops brought in Francis Chinjili and Amon Muchiri as his side pushed forward for the elusive winner but this did not yield any results.

Fred Maingi of Supersport wrote:

Erick Masika salvaged a point for AFC Leopards in Naivasha heading home an equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Karuturi Sports on Sunday.

The former Gor Mahia stopper nodded the ball in on 63 minutes to ensure Leopards would not suffer a second consecutive loss in a Kenyan Premier League tie played under heavy downpour.

Karuturi had taken the lead after 19 minutes through Benjamin Oketch who slammed home Mustapha Ogutu's free kick past Leopards’ custodian Patrick Matasi.

Leopards however came in the second half with their guns blazing forcing Karuturi goalkeeper Mike Wanyika to make several saves but he was unable to keep out Masika’s effort off a Salim Kinje freekick.

Francis Chinjili could have won it for the visitors on 70 minutes when through on goal but he blasted the ball over the bar.

Karuturi coach Mike Nam was sent off in the dying minutes by referee David Gikonyo for questioning one of his calls. But the tactician met hostile treatment from Leopards fans who blocked him from leaving the pitch and he needed police escort to leave the field.

Both teams made several substitutions with Karuturi rested John Mwangi, Mustapha Ogutu and Allan Otindo who were replaced by Jacob Omondi, Allan Omondi and Gerald Mukonza while Leopards brought in Chinjili for Jimmy Bagaye.


The KPL website said:-

Benjamin Oketch had home side Karuturi Sports up in the 16th minute, his well taken free-kick 35 metres out beating AFC Leopards’ ‘keeper Patrick Matasi.
Leopards had drawn their matches at Karuturi since 2009 and it was all they could hope for this time.

Defender Eric Masika saved the visitors’ blushes, the ex-Gor Mahia man scoring his first goal for Leopards with a second half header. Masika connected with a Victor Ochieng’ cross on 49 minutes.

Karuturi coach Michael Nam will be awaiting league disciplinary action after making a nuisance of himself -- going to sit on the pitch and holding up play --protesting that the referee had ignored a Karuturi penalty claim.

When Nam was ejected by the referee and play resumed, Leopards laid siege but they could not grab the winner.

League Table 

Pre Match: Karuturi (A)

Collins Okinyo of Supersport predicts a 1-1 draw.

Karuturi v AFC Leopards(Karuturi)

Karuturi are enjoying a good run of form having won their game last weekend that pushed them up to sixth on the log with 16 points. 

They face a wounded AFC Leopards who lost their unbeaten record last weekend. Ingwe are still on top of the league with 26 points and will stay top if they win in Naivasha. 

Jacob Omondi and Allan Otindo will be the players to watch for Karuturi while Leopards have a wide range of players to choose from with Jimmy Bageya, Victor Ochieng, Allan Wanga and Mike Baraza all in contention. 

Prediction: 1-1

Post Match: Tusker (H)

The unbeaten have been beaten! Leopards lost 0-2 to Tusker at Mbaraki in Mombasa when they scored two own goals.

The Sunday Nation reports:-

AFC Leopards remarkable 23-match unbeaten run shuddered to halt at their unfamiliar “home” ground of Mombasa in the hands of champions Tusker as Ulinzi Stars edged out Gor Mahia in Nakuru. 

League leaders AFC Leopards suffered their first Kenya Premier League (KPL) defeat when Tusker deservedly beat them 2-0 at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.

Leopards’ supporters, who expected their team to register their first league win against Tusker since 1998, left disappointed after their team was outplayed.

However, Leopards made a good start and could have taken the lead in the fourth minute when Allan Wanga sent a powerful drive that hit the side netting with supporters jumping for jubilation thinking it was a goal.

Four minutes later, it was Tusker’s turn to miss the target as Joseph Shikokoti free kick went wide.

In the 16th minute, Kenneth Wendo and Paul Were combined well but Joseph Emeka who had only the goalkeeper at his mercy sent a slow shot and a grateful Patrick Matasi collected.

In the second half, Tusker continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 50th minute. 

A corner by Peter Opiyo found Brian Mandela who sent a header that defender Jonas Nahimana deflected into his own net.

Tusker ensure victory in the 83rd minute. A thrown in by substitute Luke Ochieng saw Leopards’ Matasia sending the ball into his own net in futile attempt to keep the ball out.

The Sunday Standard reports:-

Reigning champions Tusker FC shattered AFC Leopards’ unbeaten run after they handed them a 2-0 drubbing in a Kenyan Premier League match at the Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa.

Despite the defeat, Leopards are perched on top with 26 points, but Sofapaka are in good position to trim the gap to three points should they win Sunday’s match against Thika United in Thika.

Leopards failed in all departments with their midfield completely tame, thus allowing Tusker to comfortably take charge.

The Ingwe side should thank their goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who worked overtime to contain the marauding Tusker striking force marshaled by Paul Were and Joseph Emeka.

AFC Leopards fans mistook Allan Wanga’s sixth side-netting shot, but centre referee Richard Obare stood firm and play resumed.

After scoreless draw, Tusker were awarded a corner kick, which was taken by Peter Opiyo before it was well connected by Brian Mandela. Jonas Nahimana of AFC Leopards deflected it in an attempt to clear it in the 57th minute for the first goal.

Tusker benched Paul Were, Kenneth Wendo and Joseph Emeka for Luke Ochieng’, Fredrick Onyango, and Andrew Murunga while AFC Leopards rested Jimmy Bageya, Bernard Mangoli, and Allan Wanga for Laurent Tumba, Brian Masiolo and Oscar Kadenge.

Tusker put the icing on the cake with the second goal, courtesy of Ochieng’ Luke, whose throw-in was pushed into the net by keeper Matasi.

Last season, Tusker hit AFC Leopards 2-0 and 2-1 in both legs.

A seemingly gleeful KPL website reported:-

IT was a big mistake by AFC Leopards. They took Tusker all the way to play in Mombasa but it was Leopards who looked completely out of place, or at sea, to be humbled with a 2-0 defeat by the Brewers who looked at home at the Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] Sports Club, Mbaraki.

It was to be Leopards’ first defeat of the season, their position at the top of the Kenyan Premier League table being cut to four points by second-placed Tusker, the defending champions.

After big defender Brian Mandela, good as usual in the box, scrambled in a loose ball between legs from a 58th minute Tusker corner, the wind appeared to have been knocked out of AFC Leopards.

They had looked gullible. Under normal Coastal weather that usually causes untested upcountry visitors some problems, the toll was evident in the gait of Leopards’ players, a collection of mainly upcountry men who have never stayed even for a few hours in places lower than 5,000 ft above Mombasa’s sea level.

Indeed the face of Leopards Kenya defender Eric Masika, drenched in sweat throughout and clearly bothered by the sun glare, was the gloomy picture of discomfort among Leopards.

By the time Jimmy Bagaye, the normally speedy winger, tired as a dog, was being replaced with Brian Masiolo in the 70th minute, the Kampala [Uganda] man was wondering what a distressing place Mombasa was.

Yet Leopards, had chosen to take this their home fixture to Mombasa, ostensibly to reap the maximum gain. The complete opposite happened. It appeared that Tusker, the ever present team in Kenya’s top-flight football have picked up knowledge about Mombasa and adaptability, all the years they have travelled there to play Coast opposition.

After Mandela’s goal, many heads down, panic and defeat written all over, Leopards were a sorry sight.

Masiolo, Laurent Tumba [for Allan Wanga] and Oscar Kadenge [for Bernard Mang’oli] were thrown in but they could do nothing about a midfield lost cause where Peter Opiyo and Jerry Santos had imprinted Tusker’s complete dominance.

Substitutes Frederick Onyango and Luke Ochieng’ just added to Tusker’s strength and it was to be Leopards’ first nightmare since the season began, an unbeaten streak going back to July last year.

In the opening minutes, some opportunities for Leopards were to materialise before the game started running away from them. Bageya ran up at the Tusker defense and earned a free kick off the Brewers’ skipper Joseph Shikokoti. Wanga’s hard shot just missed by inches.

Tusker goalie Boniface Oluoch saved twice from Bageya before Wanga set up Victor Ochieng’ who was judged marginally offside. Then Tusker began the charge, the running of the Kenyan winger Paul Were proving unsettling to the Leopards’ backline. Were’s first major threat was squaring to Nigerian Joseph Emeka who was in a good position in the box but could not capitalise.

Emeka and top-of-the-attack man Kenneth Wendo were then to test Leopards ‘keeper Patrick Matasi. But most dangerous was midfield man Opiyo who just lost his footing on the half hour while about to pounce on a clear Tusker chance.

Tusker coach Sammy Omollo showed how adept he is in reading the game when he brought more strength from the bench immediately he noticed someone [Frederick Onyango] could do better than Emeka; the change coming with 10 minutes left in the first period.

From then on nothing could rattle the Brewers. After taking the lead, Tusker could have stretched it with an Opiyo free kick; curved well but flying just over Matasi. Then Wendo missed with a header.

Even though Tumba and Masiolo brought in some fight for Leopards that a withered Bagaye and an apparent struggling-with-injury Wanga could not, Tusker were just too comfortable. Leopards’ fate was completely sealed when Luke Ochieng’s long throw in the 83rd minute bamboozled a crowded box and Matasi could not hold the ball as it flew into the net.

Rodgers Eshitemi of Futaa wrote:-

History repeated itsaelf as Tusker ended AFC Leopards 23-matches unbeaten run in the Kenyan Premier League, beating them 0-2, on Saturday 21 April at Mbaraki Stadium.

Sammy Omollo’s boys capitalized on the Leopards’ defensive lapses to halt their cinderella run. After a barren first half, Brian Mandela tapped home an easy goal from a corner kick in the 58^th minute to put the defending champions in the driving seat.

Tusker dominated the match, outplaying AFC in the midfield with skipper Joseph Shikokoti and company keeping their lethal forward at bay. Second half substitute Luke Ochieng' doubled the score from a throw-in, beating Patrick Matasi very easily in the 82nd minute.

This becomes a third win in a row for the Brewers against Ingwe after beating them in both legs last season and also in the second leg of the 2010 season. However, Leopards are still at the peak of the table standings with 26 points, four ahead of second placed Tusker.

John Munene of MichezoAfrika wrote:-

AFC’s unbeaten run in the Kenyan Premier League came to a halt on Saturday after they fell 2-0 to champion’s Tusker at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa. A deflected shot by Brian Mandela and a throw by substitute Luke Ochieng provided the goals that silenced the huge travelling AFC crowd.

The hosts had the first chance of the game when a foul by Tusker defender Joseph Shikokoti on Jimmy Bageya earned them a free kick in a promising position. Allan Wanga executed it well but the ferocious shot missed by an inch to hit the side of the net.

Tusker then got a chance after winning a free kick in the 8th minute but Shikokoti’s powerful shot went well off target.
AFC leopards then had two chances .Jimmy Bageya weaved past two tusker defenders then had a good shot that was saved by keeper Boniface Oluoch. A minute later, Allan Wanga set up Victor Ochieng who was ruled offside but still had his shot placed wide.

Tusker then createD the best chance of the game when Paul Were’s cross landed at Joseph Emeka’s legs but the Nigerian sent a feeble shot that was easily collected by keeper Matasi.

The next strike by Tusker had keeper Matasi off his line but Joseph Emeka and Ken Wendo misfired past the open net. As the game approached the half hour mark Man of the match Peter Opiyo was presented with an opportunity but he lost his footing when executing the shot.

Ten minutes after the interval, Tusker coach Pamzo Omollo introduced Fred Onyango for the misfiring Joseph Emeka.

The brewers had a good grip of the match and launched attack after attack. One such offensive in the 58th minute ended in a corner. Brian Mandela capitalized on a goal mouth melee to slot in the corner after Jonas Nahimana deflected the ball and gave keeper Matasi no chance to save.

AFC defender then fouled Paul Were to gift the visitors a free kick that Peter Opiyo curved well though it soared past Matasi. Tusker would have made it two had Ken Wendo been alert to capitalize on a failed header clearance by Eric Masika.

With Tusker dominating the midfield battle, Coach Koops brought in Brian Masiolo for Jimmy Bageya while Allan Wanga paved way for Laurent Tumba.

The change brought some stability into the Ingwe midfield and allowed Mike Baraza launch two unsuccessful attacks.

Ten minutes to the end Koops threw in his final dice with Oscar Kadenge coming in for Bernard Mang’oli. Pamzo responded by replacing the industrious Paul Were with Luke Ochieng.

Luke Ochieng’s first role was a throw that went past Matasi to double Tusker’s advantage in the 83rd minute.

The goal seemed to dampen AFC’s effort to search for an equalizer as Tusker had the best moves in the final minutes of the game.

Despite the loss, AFC Leopards still leads the table standings with 26points while Tusker has moved second with 22points.

Pre Match: Tusker (H)

DEFENDING CHAMPS v TALENTED CHALLENGERS

Pundits reckon this is sure going to be a humdinger. The defending champions take on the league leaders at a venue that is seemingly neutral to both sides. The league leaders are gathering premier league points like a magnet on filings and they have taken a mind blowing 26 out of a possible 30. The Leopards have won all the matches played away from having taken maximum points in Nakuru, Thika and twice in Mumias.

The TV cameras have also been following them and of the ten matches played so far, seven have been live with this weekend seeing the possibility of Bernard Otieno screaming, “BARRRAAAAAZAAAA!!!” as the eighth out of eleven matches are shown. The Chairman of the Sofa Set Branch must be wishing he could send a bottle of wine or a quiche or something to Gary Rathbone.

Tusker FC of course, is a difficult customer and of all the teams in the league, none has a better record against Leopards than the Brewers. In fact, Leopards haven’t beaten them in twelve consecutive league matches.

When Tusker FC was conceived, it left a bad taste in the mouth of Leopards fans of old, as they poached players from Leopards. There was a feeling that they got favoured by the corporate connection they had with Kenneth Matiba, then CEO of the Brewers getting involved in football matters. Leopards would in fact be having a 13^th title if Tusker hadn’t insisted that Leopards play the most important fixture of 1972 even with their dependable players away. 

The league which was played with a semi final and final format saw Leopards lose 1-0 to Tusker on 29^th November 1972 in circumstances that triggered the displeasure of the Leopards so much that two years later, they boycotted the entire League!

But that was then. The here and now sees Tusker walking into this fixture in a town renowned for its tusks on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw with this season’s strugglers Mat U. Leopards on the other hand are scoring for fun having an average of 2.00 goals per game and their own ‘Pichichi’ competition featuring Victor Ochieng, Allan Wanga and Mike Baraza at the top with four goals each whilst Jonas Nahimana and Jimmy Bageya breath down on them with three. Bageya also tops the assists charts.

If Leopards beat Tusker, they would have not only conquered all from every clime and coast, but they will head to Naivasha the following weekend knowing that the chant “Sisi AFC, nifwe Ingwe, tunafagia timu zote tunapata!” finally has a true ring to it.

The only people who could stop them this weekend are the likes of Joseph Shikokoti who has been rock solid and … tall but Victor Ochieng showed last weekend that height is nothing but some digits and a comma. Paul Were is always a moment away from winning a penalty with his pace but Patrick Matasi has saved a couple this season with his vision.

Leopards have a great chance to repeat what their predecessors did last in 1998 and in football as in life, nothing stays forever. After all, as they say in the casinos at the coast  - you never know! Catch the action from the stands at Mbaraki or from the comfort of your couch or from bugging those in either places. It is the biggest clash of the weekend and you just don’t wanna miss it!