Leopards move up to second
AFC Leopards narrowed the gap at the top when they secured a 1-0 win over Sony Sugar on Saturday afternoon at Gusii Stadium to move to second on the league table.
It took the Kenyan Premier League giants only 28 minutes before newly signed speedy winger Paul Were claimed his second assist, in as many matches since his move from Tusker, by setting up Bernard Mang’oli to score the winner.
The home side had its chances most notably seven minutes before the break when burly hit-man Enock Agwanda’s long throw-in fell for but Ismael Dunga but his feeble shot was straight at Barnabas Tiema.
In the second half, coach Zedekiah Otieno made a couple of changes to reinforce his attacking line with John Kiplangat, Geoffrey Simiyu and Musa Omarr coming in for Robert Ouma, Ismael Dunga and Dennis Okoth, but the Ingwe defenders kept them at bay with Tiema doing exemplary work.
Leopards tactician Jan Koops also reacted promptly by bringing in Oscar Kadenge for Laurent Tumba as Jimmy Bageya replaced Mike Barasa.
Kiplangat could have scored on his debut and salvaged a point for the Nyanza-based side in the 61st minute with a spectacular header but Tiema parried it over the bar.
Leopards are now second on the pile with 34 points, two below leaders Tusker FC who battled to a 1-1 draw with Chemelil Sugar.
Sony squad: Wilson Oburu, Wycliffe Nyangechi, Joseph Omweri, Kilonzo Tumba, Andrew Waiswa, Sylvester Wanyama (Cpt), Francis Ocholla, Dennis Okoth (-70 Mussa Omari), Enock Agwanda, Ismael Dunga (-70 Geoffrey Simiyu), Robert Ouma (-55 John Kiplangat)
Unused subs: Shaban Ouma (GK), Victor Ochieng’, Cylus Shitote, Alfred Onyango
Leopards squad: Barnabas Tiema (GK), Edwin Baraza, Eric Masika, Jonas Nahimana, Idrissa Rajab, Paul Were, Bernard Mang’oli, Martin Imbalambala (Cpt), Laurent Tumba (-47 Oscar Kadenge), Allan Wanga, Mike Barasa (-76 Jimmy Bageya)
Unused subs: Patrick Matasi (GK), Abbas Kiwalabye, Amon Muchiri, Charles Okwemba, Jimmy Bageya, Victor Ochieng’
