- Leopards beat second tier side Murang’a Seal 1-0
- They played most of the second half with 10 men
- Gor Mahia were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Kakamega Homeboyz
AFC Leopards’ hunt for a first Cup title since 2017 remained on course as they held on to beat National Super League side Murang’a Seal 1-0 at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.
Leopards had to hold on playing with 10 men for almost the entirety of the second half following a red card to defender Kaycie Odhiambo.
Substitute Jaffary Owiti scored the solo goal, netting in the ninth minute of the game as Seal were punished for wasting many scoring opportunities.
“It was tough to play against a team that uses long balls mostly. We are glad to progress to the quarter finals and hopefully we can challenge to win this trophy,” said Leopards coach Patrick Aussems.
The NSL side had started the game well and had some good chances to score. In the sec=venth minute, Titus Kapchanga was picked out by a brilliant cutback from Erick Balecho but he miscued his shot and even when he had a second bite on the cherry, he still put in a meek shot that was easily saved.
More chances go begging
Action between Murang’a Seal and AFC Leopards
Earlier on, Balecho had a good chance when he was put through on the left, but his shot skied inches over the bar.
Leopards were forced to make a change after eight minutes when Nigerian striker Ojo Olaniyi limped off after pulling his hamstring and was replaced by Owiti. The winger made an immediate impact, playing in a new central role as he raced into a brilliant through pass from Cliff Nyakeya before gliding past the keeper and tapping into an empty net.
After going down, Seal seemed to have been deflated as Leopards had more of the possession, though no second goal was forthcoming. Victor Omune had a chance when he broke through on the right, but his heavy first touch took him wider off goal and his eventual attempt at goal was blocked for a fruitless corner.
In the second half, an opportunity opened up for Murang’a when Odhiambo was sent off for a second yellow card 10 minutes in, but they couldn’t make the most of the opportunities that came their way.
Wasteful Murang’a Seal
Cliff Nyakeya attempts to close down on a Murang’a Seal player
John Kiplang’at twice came close when he had shooting chances, but he couldn’t execute effectively.
Elsewhere, the trophy will have a new champion this year after Gor Mahia were dumped out following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kakamega Homeboyz at the Bukhungu Stadium.
MUdavadi’s 53rd minute shot was deflected off a GOR Mahia defender’s head, a goal that proved to be vital for the Western Kenya side.
“A draw would have been a fair result but unfortunately that’s how football is. We conceded a deflected goal and it ended that way. Now we switch focus back to the league and see what we can do from that,” said Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry.
Meanwhile in other results, Kariobangi Sharks progressed after beating Division One side Equity Bank while KCB beat Bidco United 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to earn a ticket into the quarter finals.
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