AFC Leopards secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mara Sugar in a rain-drenched FKF Premier League clash at Awendo Green Stadium on Saturday evening.
Despite challenging weather conditions, Ingwe wasted no time asserting their dominance, breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute. Mara Sugar’s goalkeeper, Felix Adoyo, struggled to deal with a curling freekick from the left, allowing Peter Maker to capitalize with a well-placed header.
The hosts had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 36th minute when referee Brooke Philip awarded a penalty for an Ovella Ochieng’ handball. However, Drona Openda’s spot-kick rattled the upright, much to the relief of Leopards’ shot-stopper Levis Opiyo Jnr.
Maker nearly doubled Ingwe’s lead in the 55th minute, but the South Sudanese forward failed to convert a corner kick delivery. Mara Sugar capitalized on that miss six minutes later, with substitute Noah Jagongo rising highest to nod in Stephen Otieno’s corner, leveling the scores.
However, late drama unfolded in the 80th minute when Adoyo clattered into Leopards forward Maxwell Otieno inside the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Kayci Odhiambo stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick, sending Adoyo the wrong way and securing a crucial win for AFC Leopards.
Meanwhile, Kenya Police FC continued their dominant FKF Premier League campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Bidco United at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday, extending their winning streak to 13 matches.
New signing Mohammed Bajaber enjoyed a dream debut, marking his first appearance for the club with a clinical second-half strike.
The law enforcers started brightly, creating an early opportunity in the eighth minute, but Bidco’s defense reacted swiftly to cut out David Okoth’s dangerous cutback before Burundian forward David Irishura could pounce.
Bajaber had his first sight at goal in the 16th minute, but a mistimed attempt denied him a perfect start. The first half saw more chances for Police, with Irishura coming inches close from an Okoth delivery, but the deadlock remained at halftime.
The breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when Bajaber showed great awareness inside the box, latching onto Irishura’s weak shot to rifle a left-footed effort past Bidco goalkeeper David Odiwuor.
Police doubled their lead just two minutes later in stunning fashion. Substitute David Simiyu curled a beautiful left-footed strike beyond Odiwuor, sealing all three points for the league leaders.
The victory solidifies Kenya Police’s position at the summit of the FKF Premier League table with 41 points, three clear of second-placed Tusker, who face reigning champions Gor Mahia in a high-stakes encounter on Sunday at the same venue.
