AFC Leopards claw Murang'a Seal to cut Gor Mahia's gap at top to two points

AFC Leopards are now just two points behind FKF Premier League leaders Gor Mahia after bursting to life in the second half to beat Murang’a Seal 2-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, 5 April.

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Ingwe, after failing to threaten much in the first half, needed strikes from Ronald Sichenje and substitute Hassan Beja to claim their 16th win of the season, which ensured they remained firmly in the title conversation, a day after arch-rivals Gor Mahia dropped valuable points to Kariobangi Sharks.

Sichenje broke the deadlock eight minutes after the break, when he got to the receiving end of a fine lay-off from Samuel Ssenyonjo, who did well to keep possession of a long ball, and got past two of his markers on his way inside the box.

Leopards, expected to see out the game, however, opened the door for hosts Seal to draw level in the 64th minute, after center back Rami Lasso Coulibaly cluttered into Joe Waithira, forcing the referee, Dickens Mimisa, to point to the spot.

The visitors would two minutes later breathe a huge sigh of relief, as league top-scorer Waithira missed the resulting penalty, hitting it straight down the middle for James Ssetuba to parry to safety.

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Beja would calm the nerves of those in blue and white with only nine minutes left, when he once again rose from the bench to score.

The winger, who was introduced in the 73rd minute, sneaked in at the backpost to slam a teasing delivery from James Kinyanjui, sealing a fourth win on the trot for Leopards, who now believe more than ever, that they are on-course to breaking their 28-year title drought.

Match Report

For a second consecutive weekend, AFC Leopards were presented with yet another chance to eat into Gor Mahia's lead at the summit, which they again took.

Playing home away from home, Fred Ambani opted to stick with his side that edged out Kariobangi Sharks last weekend, hoping they would they would add misery to a travelling Seal, who were still reeling from last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Shabana.

If anything, Ingwe, like in the aforementioned Sharks match, replicated their slow start from the blocks, and failed to hit the target in a largely forgettable first-half.

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It took until the second period for things to open up, Leopards taking full advantage of a sleepwalking defense to hit the first blow.

The sequence to Beja's goal in the 53rd minute came from a long punt upfront, which Ssenyonjo did well to latch onto, before turning Paul Ngugi inside-out, and into the 18-yard box.

Ssenyonjo, now with another man on his shoulder, opted not to go for goal himself, instead laying a square ball for an isolated Sichenje to drive home on his left foot.

Leopards, backed by a loud fanbase, would minutes later conspire to throw away their lead, but were fortunate to find Waithera on his worst of days, his frail penalty capping a dissapointing afternoon for the visiting skipper.

There was more opportunity for Ingwe to double their lead before they eventually did via Beja, when Seal defender Dennis Munyovi lost posession in midfield, handing Ssenyonjo a chance to drive on a 3v2.

The much-maligned Ugandan, despite having Kinyanjui in free space down the right, however went for the spectacular, hitting a firm shot straight at Eric Ongiri.

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Kinyanjui would carve another chance for the visitors in the 70th minute, only for his curler cum cross to go over the bar.

In the 81st minute, his ball was straight onto Beja's bread basket, who did well to get past his marker, and plant the winner.

Heady days for Ambani's men.