The Kets 2012

You read about the Kets 2011. Now, Ingwe Fan magazine editor Victor Bwibo delivers his end-of-the-year awards in respect of the AFC Leopards season that has just ended. It is a fresher look at ‘The Den’ as we call it and brings up all the good and bad memories of 2012 starting with …

Best Banner

Once or twice, a players stands out with his performances and then the next obvious thing happens. People want to snatch him. Now, we are not talking about the other player agents but you know... sometimes the agents are making calls with enquiries about the specific player. This was funny as it captured this whole scenario.

But there were times when Leopards soared as they did after finishing the first leg with a whimper only to rediscover themselves and go back to the top of the league in the second leg. At that time, the fans believed – Leopards was RELOADED!

Best Quote

There are reasons we have mouths – mostly, it’s just to use them to shout in excitement when a Leopards goal is scored. But some people use their mouths (or expressing through their pens) some pearls.

There are the judgmental journos who won’t waste a moment to pass their judgment as Frank Midega did after the Leopards and Gor match aborted in the first leg and there was chaos when some unruly fans from the green divide of the derby threw projectiles at all and sundry.  ‘The hardest thing to find after a K’ogalo and Ingwe clash is Elastoplast’, he wrote in his column Frankfoot.

But the best quote was definitely by the 2012 Best Male Fan Maurice El Capitan who said in an interview at Radio Jambo before the return clash with the same K’ogalo, ‘We are breathing sugar!’!

Best Celebration

Something was born this season at Leopards – the isokonde dance. Choreographed by Allan Wanga, it involved the jog, the wave, the shake and adoring fans joining in.

Biggest Villain

There are people who make Leopards fans wake up sweating profusely at night in utter shock and amazement at the nightmare.

That person is obviously Dan Sserenkuma – the diminutive Ugandan who scored four goals against the Leopards in the League this season – fort two different teams dealing the Leopards two different losses. What a player!

Best Comedy

Definitely the Top 8 clash against Gor Mahia. Determined to make a mockery of the fact that Leopards didn’t turn up for the match, KPL and Supersport played along including releasing the lineups that didn’t have the Leopards players names.

The match commissar Kaunda was also in his element making a fool of himself on national TV as the match was awarded on a walkover to Gor.

Best Unofficial Merchandise

There was a host to choose from as in each other year. There was the baseball cap from Nakuru Branch that looked a bit slanty.

But there was worse. This seemingly came from Kaloleni Branch, a proclamation that we were the People's Champions.

Someone also had his mind on the time that we take to support our team.

To the earrings

But the water bottle was definitely the best unofficial merchandise for this season.

Best Fergie Time

Now, managers are known to always whine about time. Jan Koops was invited to the Leopards fund raiser in March and was there before any body else!

Best Nickname

There were a variety of names dished to everyone; the fans, the players, the teams. Gor Mahia’s Ali Abondo was nicknamed Teargas after his tackle led to teargas tossed to Gor fans. But Gor Mahia was also called all sort of names, the best though was Towel FC.

Best Summary of Events

Leopards had refused to play in the Top 8 in March and kept everyone waiting. Cue a top 8 summary.

Best Parody

After we had viewed the crying Yanga fan, there was an outburst of hujuma  comments. Cue parody.

 

Best Match Report

Laughter is the best medicine. When Leopards lost to Sofapaka, it was easy to summarize the story of the loss in three photos.

Best Madness

OK, we get it. You love your team. But there are some things which are a definite no no!

Best Campaign

Getting the fans to be involved and have a say in the affairs of the club, the Be Involved campaign by Claws Trust was a sure winner!

Best Innovation

Its taking time but the Kenyan media is finally waking up to some technology – no less the TV stations. K24 had this touch screen to look at the league table.

 

Best Print Media Coverage

The Daily Nation really stepped up its plate as can be seen here.

Best Demonstration of Hate

With Leopards trailing 1-0 to Sony Sugar, Allan Wanga scored and our friends at Goir Mahia who had been pretending they really liked us, couldn’t bear it. Its OK, we hate you too!

Best Female Fan

As a brand, Leopards needs all the publicity it can and Savvy Kenya this year dedicated her blog to her travels with the Leopards. She intended to attend all the 30 matches; she didn’t but her voice about her Leopards journeys and support were heard all over including in the leading Daily Newspaper in the country.

Best Male Fan

Having given us the quote of the year, Maurice El Capitan played his part as a fan. He attended an interview at Radio Jambo when tasked and also participated in the other community events to demonstrate that supporting the club is not just being on the pitch side but also what you say and demonstrate to the others.

Additions to follow

Round by Round 2012

The 2012 Kenyan Premier League standings

Tables courtesy of the KPL website

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Round 13

Round 14

Round 15

Round 16

Round 17

Round 18

Round 19

Round 20

Round 21 

Round 22

Round 23

Round 24

Round 25

Round 26

Round 27

Round 28

Round 29

Round 30

                        

Post Match: Chemelil (A)

Leopards finished the 2012 Kenyan Premier League campaign with a whimper as they lost 0-1 to Chemelil at Awendo.

The loss coupled with Gor Mahia's 1-1 draw at home with Thika United handed the title back to Tusker FC who won 3-0 to successfully defend their crown.

Futaa wrote:

AFC summed up their shaky run lately this season with a 0-1 loss to Millers Chemelil Sugar at the Awendo Green Stadium on Saturday 10 November 2012.

Chemelil Sugar was evidently the better side starting the match on a high with Isemeki and Mwaniki on the offense after AFC appeared to have started on a relaxed mode.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 18^th minute after Jonathan Mwaniki was fed with a through ball from the center of the park which he did not delay in heading in for the opener.

This goals sent shock waves through the Ingwe squad as they struggled to hold onto the electric paced game that Chemelil had now staged.

Okwemba replied the Chemelil Sugar goal with a thunderbolt that resulted to a corner but the resultant kick by Mike Baraza was punched back into play by the Chemelil Sugar keeper.

AFC suffered a blow early in the match as they were forced to replace injured Kiwaalabye with Idrissa Rajab as another Baraza corner was headed away by Chemelil’s David Ojwang’.

Paul Were could have pulled Ingwe level in the dying minute of the first half from Mike Baraza cross but the resultant kick missed the far post by a whisker.

Chemelil was the better side in the second half after managing to lock out the AFC attackers despite the introduction of Allan Wanga at the restart.

The Millers ensured that Leopards did not get the balls while maintaining the high tempo of the game. Their efforts were almost rewarded in the 73^rd minute when Andrew Isemeki looped the ball over the keeper only for it to roll outside.

Laurent Tumba was introduced for Victor Ochieng’ but it was a matter of too late as Chemelil Sugar carried the day by a solitary goal. 

The results helped Chemelil snatch a place among the top8 while AFC Leopards will finish the season in the third place behind champions Tusker FC and second place Gor Mahia

Final KPL standings

 

Post Match: Mat Utd (H)

Leopards beat Mathare United 4-2 to go top of the league for 24 hours before being dislodged by a rampant Gor Mahia who beat Muhoroni Youth 4-0 as Tusker also eased into second place with a 2-0 victory over Western Stima.

The Sunday Nation reported:-

AFC Leopards stormed back to the top of the Tusker Premier League on Saturday with an emphatic 4-2 hammering of Mathare United at Mumias Sports Complex.

Leopards are now two points clear at the top of the table and will closely be monitoring action on Sunday when Gor Mahia and Tusker play.

If Gor Mahia falters against Muhoroni at City Stadium and Tusker flops in their game against Western Stima at Kasarani, AFC Leopards will be a heart beat away from the title.

It was a crucial game for Leopards; a slip would have mathematically locked them out of the race but when Paul Were scored the third goal to make the scores 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining, they looked to be cruising to the top.

It was a high scoring game and both teams did not fear to venture upfront for goals. As early as the 13th minute Mike Baraza beat Mathare’s offside trap to release a screaming left shot to the roof of the net.

But even before Leopards could finish celebrating, Jesse Were capitalized on some slack Erick Masika defending to latch onto a loose ball to level the scores.

Leopards were not going to relent knowing very well their title ambitions depended on this game. Their next attack was from a good passing move between Victor Ochieng and Bernard Mang’oli before the latter rifled in a ground shot from the edge of the box.

Two-one it was until the breather but both sides had given so much.

After a see-saw battle in midfield for most of the second half, Mathare levelled the scores in the 69th minute. Leopards had committed most of their players upfront as Charles Okwemba took a corner which was collected by Mathare players who surged ahead in sixes outnumbering the Leopards rear.

Andrew Tololwa released a cross which found Francis Ouma unmarked and he cooly headed past Patrick Matasi.

At this point Leopards looked to be struggling and the entire Mumias Complex was dead silent under persistent rain.

But Jan Koops still had an ace up his sleeves. He pulled out Victor Ochieng who looked rather tired and brought in Allan Wanga in the 72nd minute. Wanga’s first touch nearly resulted in a goal.

Wanga was to play provider in the 75th minute beating Anthony Kimani to cut back for Were who simply tapped the ball into the net.

Leopards were not done yet. Baraza, who had a huge game took up responsibilities for a free kick deep in Mathare’s territory.

He floated a perfect cross into the box and Charles Okwemba, incidentally the smallest man in the box, timed his jump to head home Leopards fourth goal.

Futaa reported:-

The eleven game unbeaten run by Mathare United came to a crashing halt with a 4 – 2 loss to AFC Leopards at the Mumias Sports Complex in the Tusker Premier League (TPL) clash on Saturday 3 November.

AFC Leopards went ahead after 13 minutes with a scorcher for a goal after nice work by Paul Were released Mike Baraza who beat the Mathare United defence and unleashed a left footer to the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Even before the Isikuti dancers were through with their celebrations, AFC Leopards were under attack. Eric Masika slid in to clear but his touch set up Jesse Were who fired feebly past Patrick Matasi for the equaliser.

On 18 minutes, however, the home side was to surge forward and the very impressive Bernard Mangoli latched onto a pass from the right to beat martin Musalia with a low shot from the edge of the box. The goal was his second in the league against the Slum Boys.

AFC Leopards should have got the third goal on 44 minutes but Mike Baraza’s goal bound shot was cleared by Anthony Kimani after beating the offside trap and the advancing Martin Musalia too as the home team went to the break with the slim lead.

Mike Baraza went close two minutes after the restart with a free kick after John Odhiambo’s foul on Bernard Mangoli but his low shot was parried clear for a corner by Musalia.

On the hour mark, Victor Ochieng should have done better when he latched on to a loose ball after a miscommunication in the Mathare United defence but he lost his footing with just the keeper to beat.

The misses by the home team spurred Mathare on and on 65 minutes the Slum Boys broke clear with a counter attack after defending a corner well and Joseph Mwangi crossed the ball for Francis Ouma to beat Matasi at the far post with a header to the net’s roof.

Koops, ten minutes later had seen enough and pulled off Victor Ochieng for Allan Wanga.

Wanga then had an immediate impact, beating John Odhiambo to square the ball for Paul Were in the six yard box. Were’s calm shot gave Musalia no chance.

Charles Okwemba put the icing on the cake with an 89^th minute goal from a header after connecting well with a Mike Baraza free kick from the right flank.

The win takes AFC Leopards on top of the 16 team log, for 24 hours at least, before Gor Mahia and Tusker take to the field on Sunday. Ingwe have 57 points so far. Mathare on the other hand remains seventh with 38 points.

MichezoAfrika reported:-

AFC Leopards on Saturday afternoon took control of the Kenya Premier League log after a spirited 4-2 win against Mathare United in an entertaining six goal thriller played at the Mumias Sports Complex. AFC Leopards is now perched at the helm of the KPL log with 57 points two ahead of Gor Mahia who play Muhoroni Youth on Sunday  and three ahead of defending champions Tusker who have a date with giant killers Western Stima.

The Blue Leopards were forced to twice recover from double defensive punishment by Mathare United who twice staged clinical text book counter attacks to pull level.

Ingwe took the lead through Mike Barasa in the 14^th minute beating Martin Musalia from a close range tight angle left foot shot but before the Ingwe defense line could settle back in their formation from their celebration, Jesse Were pounced on a loose ball in the box to rattle Matasi for the leveler just seconds after restart.

Three minutes later, Bernard Mang’oli recaptured the lead for AFC with a fierce low drive to Musalia’s far right from Okwemba’s assist.

Jesse Were was back in the 22^nd minute with a powerful shot from the edge but Matasi was on point this time to easily collect the attempt.

In the 36^th minute Paul Were’s contribution on the left flank delivered a corner for Ingwe and the attempted lob in was cleared before it could create damage. The clearance landed on Were again who brought a cross back to the danger area but the referee ruled off side.

In the 40th minute, Victor Ochieng was served with a clever ball deep from the midfield by Mang’oli but his run was marginally judged offside though his final chip above Musalia in goal had been stopped by the upright.

Mike Barasa in the 43^rd minute broke the fragile Mathare United offside trap with a good run but his final shot on target was cleared just before it crossed the line by captain Anthony Kimani for a non effective corner.

Mathare United had the final piece of action in the first half with a 45^th minute free kick at the edge of the box that was fired above for Ingwe to take a 2-1 lead to the break.
At the start of the second half, Bernard Mangoli’s drive was clipped for a free kick taken by Mike Baraza but Musalia was equal to the task parrying away the goal bound shot to safety.

Mathare had moments of scare in the 63^rd minute when a defensive blunder gifted Victor Ochieng an easy ball but the latter was sluggish in his reaction failing to finish off what looked like an open chance.

In the 66^th minute, Mathare United produced a spectacular counter attack, capitalizing on a weak cross by Mang’oli to catch the overlapped defense line off guard. Mathare attacked like a swarm of bees with five players sprinting in sync deep from their half and the final ball found Francis Ouma’s head on the blind side to beat Matasi with a roof top goal.

Allan Wanga then came in for Victor Ochieng in the 71^st minute and he immediately made the difference for Ingwe as three minutes after coming on, he beat the Mathare United defense line to serve a proper square ball for Paul Were to sink past Musalia for a 3-2 lead.

Charles Okwemba creamed Ingwe’s cake with a 4^th goal in the 89^th minute  heading past Musalia from a Mike Baraza free kick.

Line Ups (KPL Facebook)

The League Table (KPL)