- AFC Leopards batter Shabana FC 5-1 to revive their SportPesa League title ambitions after a minor midweek setback.
- Goals from Samuel Semo and Tyson Otieno in the first half, followed by a Samuel Ssenyonjo brace after the break and a brilliant finish from Kayci Odhiambo, sealed the emphatic win.
- Shabana’s lone strike came courtesy of Wycliffe Omondi in the second half in a clash staged at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, March 1.
AFC Leopards battered Shabana FC 5-1 to reignite their title charge after a slight fall, in a thrilling and intense SportPesa League clash staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
Ingwe were desperate for maximum points at home to rediscover their momentum after a frustrating 1-0 defeat to KCB in a midweek fixture.
That narrow fall had allowed their fierce rivals Gor Mahia to open up a nine-point gap at the top after their win over Mathare United on Saturday. But the Fred Ambani men slashed that deficit back to six points, and they did so in emphatic style.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia edge Mathare United to stretch SportPesa League lead to 9 points
AFC Leopards batter Shabana FC 5-1
The atmosphere may not have been packed to the rafters, but it was electric, considering both sides boast massive followings.
It was Shabana who started brightly and carved out a golden chance to take an early lead through Assis Batsi, who unleashed a powerful shot toward goal. James Ssetuba was alert, though, parrying the ball over the bar as both sides kept things cagey in the opening quarter.
Ingwe broke the deadlock in the 17th minute through a beautifully worked free kick on the left wing. Tyson Otieno played it short to James Kinyanjui, who cleverly chipped the ball into the path of Samuel Semo. With his left foot, Semo calmly slotted home from inside the box.
Just as Shabana looked to restore parity before the break, they were caught out by a swift counter down the left.
Ronald Sichenje skinned his marker and whipped in a dangerous cross that landed perfectly for Tyson, who kept his composure to fire home a low finish making it 2-0 heading into halftime.
The second half exploded into life. Shabana pushed hard and thought they had pulled one back in the 49th minute through Brian Michira, only for the flag to cut their celebrations short.
Minutes later, Kinyanjui, looking a bit leggy, spurned a chance to extend the lead during another rapid counter set up by Tyson.
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia edge struggling Sofapaka to open a points gap in the title race against AFC Leopards
Just three minutes after the hour mark, Shabana’s substitutions made an immediate impact. Bronson Nsubuga whipped in a dangerous volleyed cross from the corner kick that met Wycliffe Omondi, who made no mistake in steering the ball home to narrow the deficit as the contest grew more intense.
But before Shabana could build on that momentum, disaster struck. Just four minutes later, a defensive mix-up and a poor decision from keeper Stephen Ochieng saw him pass a loose ball straight toward his own defender, James Mazembe.
Fresh substitute Samuel Ssenyonjo read it perfectly, nipped in, and drilled a low shot into the left corner restoring Ingwe’s three-goal cushion.
With tensions simmering, the game was paused in the 72nd minute after commotion broke out in the stands, with riots flaring and police firing teargas at fans, forcing a 11-minute pause in play.
Once things settled, Ingwe were not done. From a corner on the left, Tyson laid it off to Kayci Odhiambo outside the box, who unleashed a rocket into the net to make it 4-1.
And the cherry on top came late when Sichenje turned provider again, sliding a brilliant assist to Ssenyonjo, who bagged his second of the game with a cool finish to seal the 5-1 rout.
The win lifts Ingwe to within six points of league leaders Gor Mahia, sending a clear message that they are back in the mix.
AFC Leopards vs Shabana FC SportPesa League Round 23 Lineups
- AFC Leopards: James Ssetuba, Julius Masaba, Samuel Semo, Kayci Odhiambo, Randi Bakari, Musa Oundo, James Kinyanjui, Tyson Otieno, Kelly Madada, Victor Omune, Ronald Sichenje.
- Shabana FC: Stephen Ochieng, Kevin Omundi, Bryan Michira, James Mazembe, Pape Diallo, Wycliffe Omondi, Assis Batsi, George Orako, Keith Imbali, Brian Bett.