Gallant Equity make AFC Leopards sweat for FKF Cup final berth

Twelve-time Kenyan champions AFC Leopards were made to sweat before qualifying for the FKF Cup final at the expense of a gallant Equity FC courtesy of 6-5 on post match penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw in a semi final match played at Utalii Grounds on Sunday afternoon. 

The Division One side put in a spirited fight to drag the match to post match penalties 

Equity nearly went ahead in the first minute through talisman Sande Katumba. The Ugandan was put through on goal but his resultant shot was saved John Oyemba between Ingwe goalposts.

The early exchanges were more or less balanced with both teams sizing each other up. The Bankers had another chance from a set-piece in the 16th minute, Levian Ochieng stepping forward to take responsibility with his venomous delivery tipped over the bar by the busy Oyemba.

Leopards had their first sniff at goal in the 21st minute. They won a free-kick outside the area which Isaac Kipyegon stepped forward to take, his resultant effort went narrowly wide. Eugene Mukangula then went close in the 29th minute but his long-range shot equally missed the target, Austin Odhiambo was next with a free-kick in the 39th minute which Timothy Ngugi on Equity goal saved. The teams left for a breather with the game goal-less.

Visibly dissatisfied with the team's first half show, coach Patrick Aussems made changes after the interval. Shaka Bienvenue and Caleb Olilo were taken off for Collins Shichenje and Dan Sunguti.

Two minutes into the second half Odhiambo got an opportunity from a free-kick which Ngugi saved. In the 52nd minute, Equity had a penalty appeal turned down when Mukangula appeared to handle the ball in the area, referee Peter Waweru ignored their appeals.

The second half proved to be explosive and Leopards got another chance in the 56th minute when Odhiambo dribbled past several players but his final shot hit the side netting. Shichenje was next with a long-range shot which Ngugi saved comfortably.

Leopards survived a scare in the 75th when Katumba missed a glorious chance. With an empty goal ahead of him, the striker somehow failed tap home as Leopards recovered to clear the danger. At the other end Washington Munene narrowly skied his free-kick moments later.

Isaac Kipyegon hit the target from another free-kick in stoppage time while at the other end Katumba forced Oyemba to a save. Neither side could get the winner and the match had to be settled from the spot.

For Leopards, Isaac Kipyegon, Said Tsuma, Washington Munene, Elvis Rupia, Clyde Senaji, scored while Austin Odhiambo saw his penalty saved.

Derrick Odhiambo, Evans Ochieng, Derrick Ayisi, Humphrey Otieno, and Timothy Ngungi converted for Equity, Levian Ochieng and Josephat Waititu missed their kicks.