Snubbed Harambee Stars midfielder the hero as Leopards down Sharks to keep slim title hopes alive

AFC Leopards beat Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 in a FKF Premier League match played on Sunday, 29 March at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Ahead of the match, Leopards were second on the log with 49 points, seven less than league leaders Gor Mahia, while Sharks were 14th with 25 points.

Leopards started the match on a high and had an early opportunity in the fourth minute, but Kelly Madada shot wide.

Sharks got a chance to take the lead in the 18th minute, but David Majak could not connect to a well-laid cross by Steve Mbulere.

Leopards survived a scare two minutes later when James Ssetuba misjudged a cross that bounced in front of him, but he was quick enough to palm it out for a corner.

Sharks continued to dominate proceedings, with Leopards faithful asking for substitutions just 25 minutes into the half.

Leopards had a golden chance to take the lead in the 31st minute, only for Samuel Ssenyonjo to waste it.

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The Ugandan was clear on goal, but lack of pace and indecisiveness allowed Faiz Opande to close in and deny him the opportunity to find the back of the net.

Sharks continued to cause Leopards problems, with quick midfield passes between Patillah Omoto and Humphrey Aroko unsettling their counterparts.

Ingwe had another opportunity in the 41st minute when Tyson released Fredrick Alushula, but the defender could not accurately lob the ball past Sebastian Wekesa.

The next chance equally went Leopards’ way as Kinyanjui brought in a sumptuous cross that Wekesa had to make a spectacular clearance.

Second half

In a bid to add more attacking punch, Leopards introduced Hassan Beja for Ronald Sichenje at halftime, with the former having an immediate impact as he had the first attempt that went wide.

The Rising Stars winger was at it again in the 49th minute when he picked up a ball at the edge of the box, but his shot was way off target.

Leopards would then benefit from a flurry of corners in the 55th minute, but neither Musa Oundo nor Samwel Semo could find the target with their headers.

The match’s major moment came in the 59th minute when Tyson picked up a ball on the right wing and took what initially looked like a cross that swerved, beating a fully stretched Wekesa.

Sharks had an immediate reaction and had attempts in the 65th minute through Aroko and Mbulure, but their final passes were poor.

Leopards also had an opportunity in the 70th minute when Kinyanjui floated in a cross, but Victor Omune and Beja could not react quickly to meet the ball.

Sharks, who were persistently pressing for a goal, had a chance in the 75th minute when Aroko set up Victor Ngume, who took a strike that was saved for a corner by Ssetuba.

Leopards had calls for a penalty ignored by referee Peter Kamaku in the 91st minute when Madada seemed to have been brought down by Otiala.

With the win, Leopards took their tally to 52 and closed the gap between them and Gor Mahia to four points, while Sharks dropped to 14th on the log with 25 points.

Other results

At the Gusij Stadium, Shabana bounced back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Murang'a Seal, a result that ended their three-match losing streak.

Wycliffe Omondi was the hero of the day with his 40th-minute goal, handing Shabana their first win since they parted ways with coach Peter Okidi.

However, TV replays show that his shot, which bore the goal awarded by the officials, did not cross the line.

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The Glamour Boys are now third on the log with 43 points, while Seal are sixth with 38 points to their name.

Military side, Ulinzi Stars received a major boost to their relegation battle after securing a 2-0 win over Sofapaka courtesy of a brace from Paul Okoth.

Ulinzi are now 14th on the log with 25 points, three off APS Bomet, whose match against Nairobi United ended in a barren draw.

Kariobangi Sharks Starting XI: Sebastian Wekesa, Ian Karani, Zablon Kutera, Kevinluke Otiala, Faiz Opande, Patillah Omoto, Keagan Ndemi, Steve Mbulure, Victor Ngume, David Majak, Humphrey Aroko

AFC Leopards Starting XI: James Ssetuba, Fredrick Alushula, Samuel Semo, Randi Bakari, Lasso Coulibaly, Musa Oundo, Tyson Otieno, Kelly Madada, James Kinyanjui, Ronald Sichenje, Samuel Ssenyonjo