- AFC Leopards end 10-match winless run against Sofapaka to reclaim joint top with Gor Mahia as the SportPesa League title race heats up.
- Kayci Odhiambo scored the decisive second-half goal from a set piece.
- Round 18 of the SportPesa League was played on Sunday, January 25, at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
AFC Leopards managed to halt their ten-match winless run against Sofapaka as they narrowly defeated them 1-0 on Sunday at the Kasarani Stadium in the second leg of the SportPesa league.
It was Kayci Odhiambo who struck the decisive goal in the second half, ending Ingwe’s long drought against Batoto Ba Mungu, which had produced eight draws and two defeats.
The vital victory also earned Fred Ambani side three crucial points, lifting them back to joint top of the title race on 36 points alongside arch-rivals Gor Mahia as the championship battle continues to intensify.
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For Ezekiel Akwana, things are deteriorating further, as his side has now suffered seven losses in ten matches, without a single victory and only three draws, leaving them in 17thh place with 14 points.
AFC Leopards end 10-match winless run against Sofapaka
Ingwe started on a high note, creating the first clear opportunity within 80 seconds. Samuel Ssenyonjo delivered a cross from the left towards the edge of the box, where the ball found Ronald Sichenje, who fired a powerful shot over the bar.
Later, Brian Ojok supplied a fine cross to Tyson Otieno, who headed the ball over as Ingwe controlled the first half. They crafted another chance in the 25th minute when Otieno set up Samuel Semo, who narrowly missed the target.
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Semo then played a crisp pass to Ssenyonjo, who seized a promising opportunity, driving down the left wing, only for his final effort to miss the mark.
Ingwe entered the break having created chances but unable to convert, while Sofapaka failed to capitalize on their few openings, leaving the match deadlocked at halftime.
Just a minute after the restart, AFC Leopards won a corner. Semo delivered a curling ball to the far post, where Ssenyonjo nodded it into the penalty area.
The ball deflected to Kayci Odhiambo, who made no mistake, slotting home to give his side a deserved lead early in the second period.
The team dedicated the goal to James Ssetuba, who recently lost his mother.
A minute past the half-hour mark, Ingwe came agonizingly close to doubling their lead after a fine move down the left.
Semo sent a low cross into the box that just evaded a sliding Ssenyonjo at the far post as Ingwe continued to dominate.
Sofapaka managed to test Humphrey Katasi with a powerful header from Joseph Kuloba, but Katasi produced a fine save to tip the ball over the bar for a corner that came to nothing.
Sofapaka had another chance to equalize in the 78th minute when Emmanuel Otieno unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the area, only for Katasi to arch his body and push it away for another fruitless corner as Sofapaka pressed for a comeback.
However, they could not penetrate Ingwe’s resolute defense, which held firm to protect their slender lead.
Sofapaka’s struggles continued as they have now gone 10 league matches without a win, while Ingwe not only ended their own winless run against Sofapaka but also seized three vital points to join Gor Mahia at the top.
Sofapaka vs AFC Leopards – SportPesa League Round 18 Line-ups
- Sofapaka: Brian Olango, Stephen Bonney, Duncan Otieno, Musa Ndusha, Shaibu Iddrisu, Joseph Kuloba, Andrew Waswa, Tyron Kariuki, Ronald Musumba, Charles Junior, Japheth Mzungu.
- AFC Leopards: Humphrey Katasi, Brian Nyongesa, Emmanuel Lwangu, Kayci Odhiambo, Samuel Semo, Mousa Oundo, Tyson Otieno, Kelly Madada, James Kinyanjui, Samuel Ssenyonjo, Ronald Sichenje.