Mashemeji Derby Player Ratings: Maxwell Otieno shines as Sylvester Owino suffers nightmare debut

And finally!

AFC Leopards on Sunday afternoon did the low-key unexpected. A side that last tasted a Mashemeji Derby victory in 2016 did all the heavy lifting, worked, hustled and left everything on the field to break the jinx on their way to a memorable 2-1 victory against Gor Mahia at the full glare of a rocking crowd at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Referred to 'as the best game I have seen' by President William Ruto, it would be a massive injustice not to recognize the effort played by all the protagonists.

Mozzart Sport takes a look at how each player performed in the highly tensed fixture.

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AFC Leopards.

Levis Opiyo (GK) - 8

Reassuring. That would best term to describe Ingwe's shot-stopper on Sunday. One of the top keepers in the land proved to be a calm presence in his area, often came out with outstanding saves case point: a flicked header by Omala that he pushed over the bar and a one on one save from Peter Lwasa in the first half.

He was commanding to the backline in front of him and later on into the game showed elite game management - letting every second tick past.

Apart from the goal he let in, Opiyo put in a decent shift.

Peter Ng'ang'a (LB) - 8

Did his job to the tee. Always maintained a close eye to Peter Lwasa on the wings and offered option for AFC Leopards on attack - finding space to make runs and crosses to the box.

Lewis Bandi (LB) - 6.5

Most notable figure in attack for AFC Leopards. Combined brilliantly with Jaffari Owiti on the left side. Defensively didn't have to deal with much, with Kayci Odhiambo providing extra cover.

Kayci Odhiambo (CB) - 7.5

Made a proper return to the team. Tasked with the job to handle the league's top scorer, Odhiambo showed his brave face, manned the Gor Mahia star to the end, bar some heart-in-the mouth plays from behind.

Washington Munene (CB) - 7

More deployed with his mate on a high line, Munene made more impact on the right hand side, blocking everything that came his way from Peter Lwasa.

Simply decent.

Musa Oundo (Mid) - 8

Work-horse. Laid his work everywhere on the field, jumped to every challenge and was unfortunate to get a booking on a clean tackle.

Set the rhythm for AFC Leopards.

Moses Lukhumwa (Mid) - 7

Brilliant first half, was a creative mind in the middle. Found way to involve his teammates in the heat of battle and offered support to Oundo to block passing lanes.

Victor Omune (Mid) - 7.5

Showed why he is now a national team caliber player. Fancied every foot in his face, showed excellence panache with the ball and tucked in the first half penalty under massive pressure.

Eugene Mukangula (CF/AM)- 7

Now playing in a deeper role, was asked to throw his body and win second balls. Did that to the tee.

Offensively a bit off-color and missed to get into the right passing lanes.

Made the assist on the second goal with a neat corner.

He was replaced after 58 minutes with what looked like a niggle.

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Jaffari Owiti (LW)- 6

Should have posed more danger to Philemon Otieno in the game. A bit indecisive with his balls.

Maxwell Otieno (RW) - 8.5

Today's man of the match.

You'd see him everywhere. Put in a massive effort in the game and with his diminutive height, sneaked in at the back-post to head in the winning goal.

Gor Mahia FC.

Gad Matthews (GK) - 6

Quiet game. Caught out on both decisive moments.

Didn't have a lot to deal with in the second half.

Philemon Otieno (LB) - 6

Handled Owiti comfortably and often found himself jumping on central defense.

A hard worker.

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Geoffrey Ochieng (LB) - 5

Run the races against a twin pronged attack of Thiong'o and Maxwell, goal came from his side after forcing a corner.

Sylvester Owino (CB) - 4

Looked nervy throughout the game.

Caught out on a few moments and gave away the penalty to AFC Leopards when he hacked down Maxwell.

Dennis Ng'ang'a (CB) - 6

Also in a duo that looked broken. Not reassuring but provided the assist for the team's only goal.

Ernest Wendo (CDM) - 6

Full force on winning duels. Did his best to break apart any combination of play in the middle.

Average

Alpha Onyango (Mid) - 5

Shone in the first half, recovering balls and progressing with it. Led to so little.

Boniface Omondi (RW) - 4

Off-color. Easy to miss his presence.

Threw many hail makers in attack. Missed the intended men.

Peter Lwasa (LW) - 4

Missed a one on one chance in the first half and failed to take on his marker in the entire second half.

Won a penalty that gives him reprieve.

Austin Odhiambo (AM) - 5

Perhaps his worst game in a Gor Mahia shirt.

Would be an unfair assessment given he was the goal scorer but missed three big chances to score.

Looked fazed in the moment.

Benson Omala (CF) - 4

The stage was set for the top guy to deliver.

He didn't. Had a tough time dealing with Kayci Odhiambo, spent his game offside on countable occasions and missed the chance to put his side in the lead from the spot.

Managers.

Patrick Aussems - 7.5.

Could be seen marshalling his players to stick one-on-one with their opponents. The high-line defense worked perfectly, forcing Gor Mahia to hit long balls that were well dealt with.

In-game management was sober - made the right changes in replacing a worked out Mukangula bringing on an extra body in attack - Cliff Nyakeya.

The entry of Robert Mudenyu late on calmed the nerves at the back, seeing out the game quite comfortably.

Johnathan McKinstry - 5.

Was caught out by his opposite number. The plan to use long balls was the wrong approach and despite the second half being stodgy, he sutck with his team and only made the changes with six minutes remaining.

Another day to rethink where the title will be heading to.