Leopards claw back from goal down to scratch Posta Rangers

A resilient AFC Leopards fought from a goal down to bag the sixth win of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League following a 3-1 win over Posta Rangers at Thika Stadium.

Leopards who have now unbeaten in the last four games were ruthless in the second half, calling the shots in all departments to pick all the points in a game which their boss Patrick Aussems watched the second half from the stands.

The result means that Rangers are yet to win in the post Stanley Okumbi's era as they lost 3-1 to Gor Mahia last weekend under the tutelage of assistant coach Collins Omondi.

Aussems admitted that emotions got the better of him and would have done better in seeking answers from the referee.

"It is a shame that i reacted i such a way but regarding the game we played better in the second half. However it is unfortunate that Kenyan top flight football are being staged on such a bad pitch. Fans pay to come and get entertained but it becomes difficult for the players to execute the plan on such a surface," he said.

Rangers captain Suleiman Ngotho who was making his first appearance of the season blamed the loss on the decision by the referee to award Leopards a penalty that he termed as dubious.

"We were doing well until the referee fell to the threats of the Leopards fans.He gave them a non existent penalty and denied us a clear one. We were robbed," lamented the centre back.

Leopards displayed their razor sharp claws early in the game but the Rangers managed to neutralize them through the long balls launched into their area.

Maxwell Otieno was forced to cut short his celebrations in the second minute after firing home from close range as the offside flag was hoisted high and consequently, the goal was ruled out. 

Leopards who were the better side for the better part of the first quarter of the game would watch their second goal get chalked off for offside in the 16th minute. 

Nigerian import Kingsley Olaniyi had put the ball behind the net after Eugene Mukangula put him through but the offside flag came to the rescue of Rangers again. 

Rangers who appeared to struggle in stringing passes together also had a goal disallowed in the 22nd minute as the referee adjudged Eliud Lokuwam to have sneaked the ball past Levis Opiyo from an offside position. 

The two sides whose style of play wasn't pleasing to the eye continued to rattle each other in search for the opening goal but lack of sharp cutting edge in the final third saw a number of open chances go begging. 

Rangers took the lead in the dying seconds of the first half through Calvin Odongo who rose high to head in a cross delivered by Sammy Meja in the dying seconds of the half. 

The goal irked coach Aussems who rushed to the field of play to protest the decision to allow the ball roll for more than the two additional minutes indicated by the fourth official but the centre referee who had not blown the half time whistle send off the fuming Belgian. 

A handful of Leopards rushed to the referee's changing rooms to protest the goal but security officers worked overtime to restore calm for the second half to resume. 

Rangers made their first change in the 53rd minute where Patrick Otieno came in for the goalscorer Odongo as Omondi sought to inject spark on the flank. 

Leopards restored parity in the 59th minute through Brian Wanyama who rifled to the roof of the net just outside the box, a goal that will certainly be among those contesting for the best of the campaign. 

The goal was all what Leopards needed to step up their game and would double their lead in the 61st minute through Washington Munene who converted from the spot after Kennedy Owino brought Kingsley Olaniyi down. 

Leopards put the result beyond the reach of the battling Rangers in the 75th minute through Kayci Odhiambo who struck a beauty of a free kick after Marvin Nabwire was brought down outside the box.

Rangers enjoyed dominance in the remaining minutes of the game but Leopards defence that was boosted by Joachim Oluoch who came in for Wanyama was equal to the task.

Posta Rangers XI

Kevin Opiyo, Dinken Mwema, Sammy Miseh, Suleiman Osman, Kennedy Owino, Benard Ondiek, Caleb Olilo, Vincent Wasambo, Eliud Lokuwam, Chrispinus Onyango, Cavin Odongo.

Substitutes 

Jairus Adira, David Ochieng, Geoffrey Shiveka, Sammy Odero, Steiner Musasia, Victor Ndinya, Jackson Dwang, Brian Marita, Patrick Otieno 

AFC Leopards XI

Levis Opiyo, Washington Munene, Lewis Bandi, Robert Mudenyu, Kayci Odhiambo, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Brian Wanyama, Marvin Nabwire, Maxwell Otieno, Eugene Mukangula, Kingsley Olaniyi

Substitutes

Maxwell Mulili, Daniel Musamali, Collins Shivachi, Owen Mboya, Joachim Oluoch, Erick Mbithi, Boniface Mukhekhe, Collins Shichenje, Zachary Njite.