Beja the hero as AFC Leopards down Tusker to keep slim title hopes alive

Hassan Beja scored a late winner for AFC Leopards as they squeezed out a 1-0 victory over Tusker at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, 22 March.

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The half-time substitute was at the right place to lift an 80th minute rebound past a stubborn Tusker defense, giving his side a much-needed win that not only completed the double over the Brewers, but cut the gap to their arch-rivals Gor Mahia to seven points.

It had been a tough, balanced affair between the two sides before-hand, with Ingwe looking the superior team, but laboring hard to crack the code on a resilient Tusker, who came into the tie riding on a three-match league winning streak.

The honor would ultimately fall on speedy winger Beja, whose introduction at halftime proved to be a masterstroke by Fred Ambani, as he pounced on a loose clearance from James Kinyanjui's blocked shot, before scooping over the pair of the outstanding Pavelh Ndzilah, and his last man Collins Odhiambo.

The win for Leopards means the title race remains alive going into the two-week international break, while Tusker reel in Julien Mette’s second league defeat since his appointment last month.

Match Report

For the second time running, AFC Leopards sat back in vain to watch their rivals build the gap at the top to double figures, placing the onus on themselves to prolong the race.

Still plagued by a host of injuries to their key men, Ingwe opted to make just one alteration - albeit a forced one - to the side that edged out Nairobi United in midweek, bringing forth James Ssetuba to replace the injured Humphrey Katasi in goal.

Tusker, on the back of some Mette-resurgence, went unchanged, building up the expectation of a juicy tie.

It ended up being the complete opposite of it, as both sides carved little to no chances in a physical but tightly-contested first half.

©Gad Isaac

That assessment might have been advanced thanks to some poor finishing by either team, as they both found ways to stand in their path.

First was Tusker's Thomas Omole, who despite being found unmarked inside the area by Stephen Etyang, blazed over in the third minute with the goal gaping.

Next was Ingwe's Randi Bakari, who also fired over after failing to make count a string of passes inside the box from Kinyanjui and Samuel Semo.

The much-maligned Samuel Ssenyonjo did not help himself in the 24th minute, when he whiffed at a teasing cross from Kinyanjui to leave the fans astounded.

At half-time, the stats told the better story, as Tusker were the only side to have a shot on target - one.

The start of the second half offered Ambani a chance to ignite some freshness, summoning Beja and Kelly Madada in the place of the ineffective Ronald Sichenje and Boniface Munyendo.

Those changes almost bore instant fruits as the magical Tyson Otieno broke clear in the 46th minute, only to shoot straight at a sprawling Ndzila.

Sseyonjo was the next man to test the Congolese shot-stopper in the 54th minute, but for his header from a corner to be comfortably gathered.

©Gad Isaac

Tusker, who here opted to sit back, carved out a suprise attack when Ibrahim Joshua teed up Erick Kapaito, only for the striker to shoot down-low at Ssetuba.

Joshua was at the hour-mark deemed lucky by many to avoid a second booking for a nasty foul in midfield, before being quickly hauled off for Fabian Adikiny.

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The stodgy nature of the tie pointed one way - a goalless draw - only for Beja to react quickest to a blocked shot, slightly hesitate, then dink past the keeper and a last defender.

Marathons may at some point demand one to crawl, and a crippled AFC Leopards are doing just that.

Ulinzi end winless spell

Other Sunday results saw Ulinzi Stars secure their first win of 2026, following a big 2-1 victory over Nairobi United at the Police Sacco Grounds.

Ulinzi, who this week reshuffled their technical bench, took the lead in the eighth minute via Boniface Muchiri, before striker Paul Okoth added a second eight minutes after the hour-mark.

Nairobi United, who lost to AFC Leopards in midweek, pulled one back in the 71st minute through Benson Omalla, but that ended up only as a consolation, as Ulinzi lifted themselves off the relegation zone and into 15th place.

FKFPL: On-form Macharia nets twice as Posta sink Sharks to boost hopes of respectable finish

Elsewhere at St. Sebastian Park, hosts Murang'a Seal were held to a 1-1 draw with Mathare United to remain sixth on the log.

Seal took the lead through Michael Macharia in the 56th minute, before Brian Ouru equalized for Mathare just six minutes later.