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PLAYER RATINGS: Masaba, Tyson shine as AFC Leopards maul meek Gor Mahia in Mashemeji Derby
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Reading Time: 1min | Sun. 07.12.25. | 19:22
The win for AFC Leopards was one built on pure grit, team spirit, and tactical genius
AFC Leopards on Sunday, 7 December produced a masterclass of a performance as they downed local rivals Gor Mahia 1-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
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Julius Masaba came up with the winning goal in the first-half, a goal that put a deserved stamp on Ingwe's domination of K'Ogalo, who were literally beat down to submission and looked second best all afternoon.
In this piece, we look at how individual players fared in a tale of contrasting team displays.
Humphrey KatasiGoalkeeper
On a day when his side dominated, he was not overly threatened. When asked to make routine saves against Austin Odhiambo and Shariff Musa, he duly gathered, giving his team and himself a memorable clean sheet.
Rating
7
Brian OjokDefense
Kept up his brilliant debut season in the top-tier with a big showing in his first derby. Was asked to do a job Shariff Musa, and held him off so well.
Rating
7
Samuel SemoDefense
Was steady at left-back - giving no breathing space to Ebenezer Adukwaw - and combined well with Julius Masaba to spring attack forward.
Rating
7
Kaycie OdhiamboDefense
Never fails to show up, and did what he does best in the middle of defense, coming up with big challenges. Going forward, he almost fed Tyson Otieno for an early goal.
Rating
7
Randy BakariDefense
Put in a solid shift in defense with key blocks, one coming after 20 minutes to keep of Shariff Musa. He picked an early yellow, but saw out the game comfortably.
Rating
6
Musa OundoMidfield
Was expected to make life hard for Gor Mahia and he did just that. Whether flying with tackles, or fending off Austin Odhiambo and his midfield compatriots on pure strength, Oundo was physically imposing. For all his work he also left without a booking.
Rating
7
Bonface MunyendoMidfield
Alongside Oundo, contributed much to the foul count in great effect. He bullied men around the park, but unlike his partner, was booked late for a lunge on Patrick Essombe.
Rating
6
James KinyanjuiAttack
Talked about how great it would have been for him to play in the derby, and was all smiles while terrorising Bryton Onyona on the right. His pace was crucial in AFC going ahead, and was a constant nuisance when given space to run with the ball.
Rating
7
Julius MasabaDefense
Match winner and man of the match. First derby, first goal. There was much to like about his performance in an advanced position - not only for his predatory instincts in getting a goal, but how many runs he made on the right to give his side a chance.
Rating
9
Tyson OtienoMidfield
Easily the most aesthetically pleasing player on the pitch. Reminded many of his real quality as he bossed proceedings in midfield, and it was from his positioning and shot that Ingwe took the lead. Was frustrating to see him go down severally in pain though.
Rating
8
Victor OmuneAttack
With him AFC Leopards look like scoring, and this was the case again as he made his presence felt upfront. His attempt to get to James Kinyanjui's cross might have played a role in the goal, and he also did well to get to a first-half header that went wide.
Rating
6
Bryne OmondiGoalkeeper
As harsh as it sounds, he was decent, but still conceded the only goal. Initially did well to keep out Tyson Otieno's effort, and would have expected Paul Ochuoga to clear.
Rating
4
Paul OchuogaDefense
His major letdown was allowing Julius Masaba to get past him and poke in a rebound, rather than getting ahead and making a clearance. He also failed to make an impact bombing forward.
Rating
3
Bryton OnyonaDefense
Admitted pre-game to derby pressure and partly succumbed to it after being taken on a ride by James Kinyanjui on the left. One such movement led to the decisive goal.
Rating
4
Mike KibwageDefense
Will hardly take any blame for the result as he put himself around, as he does, and won key headers when his team was under the cosh.
Rating
5
Sylvester OwinoDefense
Had it a tad rough on this day. Whether it was missing challenges, or being right in the action when the goal came about. On this occasion too, his generally effective long-range passing was absent.
Rating
4
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Enock MorrisonMidfield
Might take some grace for not having the best of weeks leading up to a derby, but dropped a poor show in a game he had constantly bigged himself up for. Oh dear.
Rating
3
Fidel OrigaMidfield
as perhaps Charles Akonnor's gambit for this game, but like Morrison, was similarly underwhelming. He could not open up the Leopards defense, and was the first man to be taken off.
Rating
3
Austin OdhiamboAttack
Gets the marks for effort, and looking like the only man Gor Mahia could cling on in need of hope. Had his team's first shot on target in the second half, and on top of showing desire, had two wonderful freekicks headed wide.
Rating
5
Felix OluochAttack
Easy to miss him on that field. That is what feeding off scraps meant for him, as well as having men around him who gave him no chance of even making a run.
Rating
3
Ebenezer AdukwawAttack
Also dropped a stinker, as he was rendered ineffective all afternoon. What had endeared him to the fans was shockingly missing, and he too, was hooked off before the hour mark.
Rating
3
Sharriff MusaAttack
Like Austin, gets marks for desire, but will be scratching his head on how he failed to score in stoppage time, with the goal at his mercy.
Rating
4
