AFC Leopards temporarily shrank the deficit to six points in the SportPesa League title race after grinding out a 2-1 win over Mara Sugar on Saturday evening at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Ingwe needed the victory to return to winning ways, make amends in their pursuit of the title, and revive conversations about the trophy following back-to-back loses against Kenya Police and archrivals Gor Mahia – two encounters where they dropped crucial points and handed Gor a chance to go nine points clear.
Now Fred Ambani charges, who have four more matches left to play, will be hoping Gor Mahia slip up on Sunday when they face Kenya Police FC, as well as in their remaining fixtures.
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It took Ingwe just 12 minutes to break the deadlock as they launched a well-executed counter-attack down the right wing.
Brian Nyongesa passed the ball to James Kinyanjui on that wing, who made no mistake he raced forward and delivered a fine cross into the box.
Openda then parried the ball toward Hassan Beja, who, just outside the area, unleashed a thunderous shot that ripped through the net to give them the early lead.
Ingwe dominated most of the proceedings, but they were caught napping in defense in the 28th minute. Mara launched a counter-attack and came close to leveling, but they eventually pulled even through a penalty after Kayci Odhiambo fouled Denis Cheruiyot.
The tackle led to a spot kick, which Drona Openda stepped up to convert, making it 1-1 just before the break.
The second half saw Ingwe continue to boss the flow of the game, and just past the hour mark, they grabbed the lead again through Victor Omune.
He finished off a rebound from Mara’s goalkeeper, Ogenda, after Tyson Otieno -who had made excellent runs and beaten the Mara defense, saw his shot parried straight into Omune’s path. He made no mistake to slot home and restore the lead.
Mara tried to stage a comeback and force a late draw, but they could not capitalize on their chances like they did in the first leg when they mounted a dramatic revival.
This time around, Ingwe held firm to snatch all three points at home points that could prove vital in their title aspirations.