AFC Leopards continued with their impressive performances, this time picking up a massive 1-0 win over high flying Nairobi City Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday, while Tusker FC beats Bidco United 2-1 at the Ruaraka Complex.
Leopards who had picked up three consecutive draws including last week’s exciting 2-2 result against leaders Kakamega Homeboyz were determined to continue their good run, and did so with Maxwell Otieno’s second half goal handing them victory.
City Stars had looked to clinch a win and move to third in the standings after hitting Gor Mahia 2-0 last week, but Leopards showed their grit with another admirable performance.
“We had not lost in four matches with three of them draws and getting to a win today showed great improvement from my team. I am proud of their performance and happy with how we played today,” said AFC coach Patrick Aussems after the victory.
The three points lift Leopards to 13th place with 13 points and the tactician is confident that they will continue with their rise, the aim being to get into the top six.
Elsewhere in Ruaraka, defending champions Tusker FC continued with their resurgence after Ibrahim Joshua scored in the 80th minute to hand them a 2-1 victory over Bidco United.
Bidco’s David Gateri wins the ball ahead of Tusker’s Isaac Kipyegon
The win, Tusker’s fifth of the season, lifts them to 10th with 16 points and two matches at hand.
Shami Kibwana had given Tusker a first half lead before Nelson Chieta stepped off the bench to equalize for the Thika-based side.
“As a team we are not in a good place in the standings and we cannot sit comfortably as we watch the team struggle. We are the defending champions and we have to fight for our title. I am really happy that we got the three points today and it pushes us to do more in each game,” said Kibwana, who joined the brewers from Kakamega Homeboyz at the beginning of the season.
A cagy first half didn’t bear many chances util the 41st minute when the deadlock was broken.
Kibwana picked the ball on the left off a Rodgers Ouma pass before striding into the box and beating keeper Ezekiel Owade at his near post.
It was the third time that Kibwana was trying the same move and finally bore fruits. In the other instant, he had seen his low shot clip under the foot of David Kalama to take the sting off it for an easy save for the keeper, while his first attempt ended up wide after being heavily body checked by Francis Oduor.
In the second half, Tusker sought to put more command in the game and they made changes with Clyde Senaji and Deogratious Ojok coming on for John Njuguna and Lawrence Luvanda. The changes meant a switch in formation.
Tusker’s Ibrahim Joshua battles for the ball with Bidco’s Lambert Otieno
Senaji formed a double pivot in midfield with Humphrey Mieno as Ouma pushed to support the attack while Ojok formed a double offensive pair with Joshua.
But, against the run of play, Tusker were caught out. A long booted clearance from David Kalama landed on Chieta’s pass, the striker picking up after Kevin Monyi’s poor attempt at clearing it. The substitute powered a shot beyond Brian Bwire to draw his side level.
However, Tusker was not about to let the three points slip off their fingers and six minutes later, they were 2-1 up when Joshua scored once again.
The burly Tanzanian forward showed great courage to rise in the air and beat keeper Owade to the ball off a Christopher Oruchum cross to head into the net for his fifth goal of the season.
Substitute Stewart Omondi should have sealed off the win at the stroke of 90 minutes when a well-weighted cross from Ojok found him at the back post but keeper Owade made a fine save.
Meanwhile, in other fixtures, Caleb Olilo scored twice as Posta Rangers thrashed Wazito 4-1 at the Utalii Complex while in Bungoma, Nzoia Sugar fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Gor Mahia.
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