- The two sides drew 1-1 in the first leg two weeks ago
- Leopards skip Police into second in the FKF PL standings
- Police coach Sammy Omollo suffered his first defeat with the club
AFC Leopards put off a run of four consecutive draws to thrash Kenya Police FC 3-0 at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday to move into the top 10 in the FKF Premier League.
Goals from Victor Omune, skipper Eugene Mukangula and a brilliant overhead kick from John Mark Makwatta saw Leopards triumph over Police, with the two sides having played to a 1-1 stalemate in the first leg a fortnight ago.
“We have been playing very well week in week out but finally we have some players who can be clinical and that was the difference. I am happy with my players and how we performed. I was surprised by Police today because last time they at least tried to play football but today, they were just playing long balls,” said AFC coach Patrick Aussems.
He says the performance is a huge encouragement for the team as they look to finish the season stronger and believes they can push into the top five if they win their remaining matches.
Kenya Police coach Sammy Omollo urges his defender Eric Juma on in a duel against Eugene Mukangula
Against Police, Leopards were flawless and after a patient start to the game, exploded into life on the quarter hour mark when Omune tapped in from inside the box off a well weighted cross from Lewis Bandi on the left.
Bandi had been thrown from right to left side of defense due to Washington Munene’s injury and he sure looked comfortable, with various deep offensive runs. In the 37th minute he almost assisted Omune in similar fashion again, but this time his cross was a little bit behind the striker.
But Ingwe kept their forays of attack and in the 41st minute, through a similar move, made it 2-0. This time, Bandi played Makwatta who in turn sent Omune through, the scorer running to the byline before cutting back a cross that Mukangula swept home for a 2-0 halftime lead.
In the second half, Police coach Sammy Omollo made changes, Clinton Kinanga coming on for Miheso while in defense, Harun Shakava was hauled off for Charles Ouma.
AFC Leopards midfielder Brian Wanyama controls the ball under pressure from Kenya Police’s Duncan Otieno
Kinanga almost made an immediate impact seven minutes after coming on when he picked the ball behind the defense, but his shot was saved by Levis Opiyo.
On the other end off a counter, Omune almost scored his second but his rasping shot from the right was saved by the keeper.
Two minutes later, Leopards were 3-0 up from a brilliant textbook counter attacking play. Cliff Nyakeya pinched off the ball from a Police player on the right before playing a quick one two with Brian Wanyama who sent him through on the left.
He lifted a brilliant cross into the box from the right and Makwatta adjusted his body brilliantly to score the third goal with an acrobatic kick.
Police were stunned and out of sorts, as the young Leopards side showed their supremacy.
Police would throw bodies forward as they sought for a goal with Tedian Esilaba twice clearing off the line while Opiyo made another good save to deny Kinanga.
Meanwhile in other fixtures, Mathare United’s dream to come off the relegation zone ended up in tears once again as they suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Posta Rangers.
Meanwhile, FC Talanta and Sofapaka played to a dour 0-0 draw at the Ruaraka Complex.
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