- AFC Leopards SportPesa League title hopes dented after defeat to KCB FC as the Bankers won 1-0.
- The match was played on Thursday February 26, at the Kasarani Stadium.
- David Sakwa struck in the 64th minute, condemning Ingwe to a damaging defeat.
AFC Leopards push for the SportPesa League title suffered a major setback after a narrow 1-0 loss to KCB in a midweek fixture on Thursday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Fred Ambani–led side needed all three points to trim the gap on rivals Gor Mahia to just three.
Instead, the Bankers’ mid-season signing David Sakwa struck in the 64th minute, condemning Ingwe to a damaging defeat.
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The result leaves Leopards second on 40 points, six adrift of Gor Mahia, and dents their championship ambitions.
The loss, their third of the season also has piled pressure on the team ahead of another crunch clash on Sunday, when they host Shabana at Nyayo Stadium, with both sides level on points.
AFC Leopards SportPesa League title hopes dented after defeat to KCB
A golden opportunity came as early as the 12th minute when Ronald Sichenje skillfully dribbled past his marker Dennis Maruti down the left wing before delivering a dangerous shot into the box.
However, Elvis Osoro pulled off a brilliant save to deny Ingwe, pushing the ball out for a corner that led to nothing as both sides settled into a tightly contested affair.
KCB coach Robert Matano was forced into an early substitution when Maruti picked up an injury just 23 minutes in, making way for Rowland Makati.
The Bankers came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute, but the effort was ruled offside.
Ingwe responded quickly on the counter, with Julius Masaba unleashing a powerful shot from the centre of the field toward the left corner of the box. Once again, Osoro stood firm, palming it away for another fruitless corner.
Bebeto then squandered a glorious opportunity after Ingwe carved open the KCB defence inside the box. He found himself in space on the left, but his left-footed strike drifted inches wide of the far post.
The second half was fiercely contested, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert.
Ingwe came close just after the hour mark when Kelly Madada delivered a brilliant volleyed cross from the right wing, finding Samwel Ssenyonjo unmarked in the box. His header, however, sailed agonizingly over the bar.
Despite Ingwe’s dominance for much of the half, it was KCB who struck first blood. Just a minute after Ingwe’s missed opportunity, a pinpoint cross from the centre found super-sub Francis Kahiro, whose well-timed header set up David Sakwa to nod home from close range.
The goal handed the Bankers the lead and marked Sakwa’s first strike since joining the club.
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Ingwe pushed desperately for an equalizer and came close in the 82nd minute. Madada delivered another dangerous cross into the box, but Koloti’s effort was cleared off the line by Humphrey Mieno.
Moments later, Madada tried his luck from outside the box, only to see his shot rattle the woodwork.
Despite their relentless pressure, Ingwe could not find a way back, suffering their third away defeat of the season. Meanwhile, KCB returned to winning ways after a heavy 3-0 loss to Gor Mahia. Ingwe must now regroup quickly as they prepare to face Shabana this weekend.
KCB vs AFC Leopards SportPesa League Round 21 lineups, Thursday February 26
- KCB: Elvis Osoro, Mohamed Siraj, Nahashon Wekesa, Ammaton Samunya, Clyde Senaji, Dennis Maruti, Boniface Omondi, Humphrey Mieno, Samuel Feargod, David Sakwa, Kelvin Etemesi.
- AFC Leopards: Humphrey Katasi, Ronald Sichenje, Kayci Odhiambo, Emmanuel Lwangu, Samuel Semo, Julius Masaba, Mousa Oundo, Kelly Madada, Tyson Otieno, Victor Otieno, Samwel Ssenyonjo.