Monday, October 29, 2012

Post Match: Oserian (A)

Leopards kept the pressure on the title race with a 3-1 win away win in Naivasha.


Futaa reported:-

AFC Leopards temporarily leapfrogged Gor Mahia into the second place in the Tusker Premier League with a 1-3 win over relegation threatened Oserian, on Saturday 27 October, at Oserian Sports Complex.


The exciting game started at a high tempo with both teams making numerous raids.


It took 15 minutes before either team’s register a score. Ben Barasa struck home in the 8th minute to put the Flower-men ahead, but their celebrations were cut-short with Mike Barasa’s brilliant equalizer in the 12th minute.

Two minutes later, Bernard Mang'oli doubled the lead with a sterling free-kick before the hosts were reduced to ten-men, following the dismissal of skipper Franklin Osama for a second bookable offense in the 47th minute.

In the 85th minute, a close range strike from veteran midfielder Charles Okwemba killed the game off, intensifying Oserian's relegation woes.

Leopards are now level on points [54] with league leaders Tusker, but edged out on goal superiority.
The Brewers are scheduled to clash against third-placed Gor Mahia on Sunday 28 October, in what has been billed as a title decider.
MichezoAfrika reported:-

AFC Leopards claimed second spot in the Tusker Premier League after a 3-1 win over relegation threatened Oserian FC at Naivasha on Sunday afternoon to pile pressure on Tusker and Gor Mahia who meet on Sunday in a potential title decider.

AFC Leopards took less than 40 seconds to announce their intention. Jonas Nahimana's great header from a corner missed the target by inches.

Oserian replied immediately through Edmund Murai whose free kick was punched out by Matasi for a non-resultant corner. Matasi was called to task again to block Dennis Wafula’s cross a minute later.

The hosts took the lead through former Ingwe man Ben Barasa  whose shot evaded Nahimana and Matasi in the 9th minute.

Three minutes later it was another Barasa affair. A good build up involving Paul Were and Victor Ochieng found Mike Barasa who wasted no time beating keeper George Ochieng to level the score line.

In the 15th minute AFC Leopards won a free kick that Benard Mangoli successfully converted to give them the lead.

Paul Were’s good dribbling on his was to Oserian box needed intervention and captain Frankyln Osama responded to earn himself a yellow card and gift AFC a free kick that went to waste.

Six minutes to the break, Mike Barasa’s nice pass to Okwemba ended in a corner that was quickly cleared and allowed Oserian break on the counter but keeper Matasi blocked the effort.

Okwemba would have grabbed a brace in the last minute of the first period but a fingertip save by keeper Ochieng stood in his way.

At the second half kick-off Oserian coach Pamzo Omollo threw in John Keo in place of Aziz Mohammed. However, the going got tough for his side when captain Franklyn Osama was set for an early shower after collecting a second yellow. Joseph Okumu was pulled off for Fred Omondi whose role was to seal the void left by Osama.

The evergreen Paul Were was denied by the cross bar in the 57th minute with Oserian keeper well beaten.

In the last quarter of the game, Coach Jans Koops brought in Allan Wanga for Victor Ochieng to add spice to his striking force. Floribert Ndayisaba replaced Martin Imbalambala.

Charles Okwemba 84th minute freekick was saved on the line but he redeemed himself seconds later after capitalizing on keeper Ochieng’s blunder to make it 3-1.

Jonas Nahimana’s back pass almost resulted in a second goal for Oserian. Dennis Wafula rounded keeper Matasi but Nahimana recovered to block his shot aimed at the empty net.
AFC Leopards’ next match is against Mathare United before they end up their campaign away to Chemelil. They will be keenly watching the proceedings between Gor Mahia and Tusker on Sunday hoping for a draw.AFC Leopards has 54 points,same as Tusker who have a superior gaol difference while Gor Mahia has 52 points.

Oserian will visit Sony Sugar next before their last match against fellow strugglers Rangers FC.

KPL website wrote:-

AFC Leopards put in a disciplined, battling performance to wear down a determined Oserian side.

The opening minutes were electrifying. Inside the first minute, Leopards’ Rwanda defender Jonas Nahimana, almost scored with a glancing header from a corner ball went just above the bar.

Then Oserian laid siege on Leopards until they scored in the eighth minute when Ben Baraza fired in from inside the box. After an Oserian corner was headed in, blocked and then the ball finally fell to Baraza, he blasted in past Patrick Matasi.

The goal was actually coming. In the fourth and fifth minutes, Leopards had survived when Matasi parried away goal-bound shots.

The first was when Wellington Murwayi struck a 30-metre free kick to Matasi’s left. The Leopards’ keeper clumsily reached the ball with the tips of his fingers and he barely pushed it round the far post. In the next minute Dennis Wafula bombarded Matasi who desperately managed to block that shot before the ball was scrambled away.

At the juncture when Oserian took the lead, they appeared good enough for victory on the day. It would have been only their 12th win of the season and one signalling hopes of survival in the Premier League. At the time, there was real hope that they could go on to overhaul the 14th placed Muhoroni in the final two matches of the season.

But an unbelievably lively Leopards’ team showing no pressure at all after falling behind, regrouped to take the battle to Oserian.

A number of attacking runs culminated with Paul Were teeing up Mike Baraza at the middle of the top of the box and the veteran unleashed his right foot to fire from 20 metres in the 12th minute. A diving George Ochieng’ in the Oserian goal helplessly saw the ball zoom under his chest as he dived to the right far post.

A bit of the Oserian self belief the appeared to have been sapped from the players after Leopards took the lead in the 15th minute.

From a free kick award 22 metres out on the left flank, Bernard Mang’oli powerfully and accurately slipped the ball past Ochieng’ on the near post.

From a 29th minute Leopards’ corner, Mike Baraza should have had his second goal with a header off a corner. His team’s dead ball delivery was really proving very good.

In the 45th minute Charles Okwemba’s rising shot was dipping into goal when Ochieng’ tipped it over the bar.

Disaster struck Oserian two minutes after the change of ends when their skipper Franklyn Osama, on a yellow card in the first half for a reckless tackle, stupidly repeated the same offence and a second yellow translated in a send-off.

From then on Oserian’s struggle became severe under the Leopards onslaught.

Oserian conceded an 85th minute corner and Leopards played it short before the final ball to ‘keeper Ochieng’ who defended it at the near post on the right. But parrying the ball rather than holding it allowed it to drop on the legs of Charles Okwemba who lifted it high into the top corner of the net for a 3-1 score line denoting an emphatic victory.

It was a thrilling end to an entertaining match under a carnival atmosphere. Hordes of Leopards’ fans from around the country had made their way to Naivasha and what enjoyment did they experience.

Rain had preceded the 2pm kick-off Karuturi Sports v Nairobi City Stars match at the same venue. But good conditions returned after half time. The 4pm match was played under a warm sun and on a nicely watered soft pitch.

Coach Sammy Omollo of Oserian said his team would not give up the fight to survive, adding: “I think we played well. The turning point was Osama’s send-off. It was unnecessary. He should not have gone for the tackle after the Leopards player had already won the ball.

“But this [relegation battle] is not over. We shall fight till the last day. We are proud of what we are doing.”

Jan Koops of AFC Leopards said the focus was to win all their matches and see what happens. “Only WE can do anything about our destiny. I say, we win our matches, and then see what happens.”

TEAMS:
OSERIAN - 25. George Ochieng’: 24. Franklyn Osama (captain), 15. Wellington Murwayi, 23. Edwin Misiko, 20. Samuel Ouma, 6. Ben Baraza, 14. Aziz Mohammed (26. John Kiio, 46’), 13. James Macharia, 28. Dennis Wafula, 9. Joseph Okumu (18. Fred Omondi, 52’), 7. Edmond Murai (8. Joseph Kariuki, 66’)
Reserves - 27. John Waw, Gk; 5. Daniel Amuom, 22. George Amayo, 19. Griffins Amatala
Scorer - 6. Ben Baraza (8’)
Coach - Sammy Omollo [Kenya]
AFC LEOPARDS - 1. Patrick Matasi: 5. Edwin Wafula, 3. Abbassi Kiwalabye, 17. Jonas Nahimana, 40. Eric Masika, 4. Martin Imbalambala, captain (18. Floribert Ndayisaba, 80’), 44. Paul Were, 22. Bernard Mang’oli (12. Augustine Etemesi, 91’), 11. Mike Baraza, 34. Victor Ochieng’ (9. Allan Wanga, 65’), 10. Charles Okwemba
Reserves - 19. Barnabas Tiema, Gk; 46. Idrisa Rajab, 50. Jimmy Bagaye, 14. Amon Muchiri
Scorers - 11. Mike Baraza (12’), 22. Bernard Mang’oli (15’), 10. Charles Okwemba (85’)
Coach - Jan Koops [The Netherlands]
* * * *
Referee - Davies Omweno
Assistant ref - Peter Sabatia
Asst ref - David Sagero
Reserve ref - Raphael Nduati
Match commissioner - Zach Wandeyi

Nation wrote:-

The table (courtesy KPL)

 
The remaining fixtures (courtesy KPL)
 
 


 

Monday, October 22, 2012

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 1st 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 55th 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)