AFC Leopards ended their seven-year winless streak against arch-rivals Gor Mahia, claiming a 2-1 victory in a tense “Mashemeji” derby at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The highly contested Football Kenya Federation Premier League match was graced by several dignitaries, including President William Ruto, opposition leader Raila Odinga, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba, his ICT counterpart Eliud Owalo, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The game was decided by a Victor Omune penalty and a Maxwell Otieno header, which gifted Ingwe a sweet victory over K’Ogalo. Gor’s lone goal was scored by Austin Odhiambo from Dennis Ng’ang’a’s corner kick. AFC’s last win over Gor Mahia was in 2016 when they won 1-0 in a second-leg tie of their league match.
After the game, President Ruto addressed both teams and handed out Sh1 million to each team. The money was received by Gor Mahia captain Philemon Otieno and his Leopards counterpart Eugene Mukangula.
Leopards fans were jubilant at Nyayo in their numbers during halftime after getting word that their team was leading.
The loss to Ingwe put a dent in K’Ogalo’s title charge as they failed to regain the top spot from Tusker, who beat Kariobangi Sharks 1-0 on Saturday at the same venue. The brewers lead the log on 64 points, one more than Gor with four games remaining in the season.
The game took time to come to life with neither side looking clinical in their opponent’s half in the first quarter of the contest. While K’Ogalo were pressing through counterattacks, Leopards’ midfield duo of Musa Oundo and captain Eugene Mukangula opted to hold the ball, waiting for the marked Maxwell Otieno and Victor Omune to get a sniff at goal.
Gor got two consecutive corners in the 24th and 26th minutes but could not break the stalemate. K’Ogalo’s constant attack bore fruit in the 30th minute when Leopards defender Washington Munene brought down Peter Lwasa inside the box, and the referee awarded the hosts a penalty.
However, Gor’s hopes of taking the lead were dashed when Omala sent his spot-kick wide, leaving Gor fans mute at the turn of events, as Ingwe fans celebrated.
The miss proved costly as AFC was awarded their own penalty in the 34th minute after Maxwell Otieno was fouled inside the box by Gor defender Sylvester Owino, and Victor Omune stepped up and calmly slotted home the penalty past custodian Gad Mathews.
However, it was short-lived as Gor equalized in the 38th minute after Austin Odhiambo headed home from Dennis Ng’ang’a’s corner to awaken the Green Army.
Their joy was short-lived as AFC regained the lead at the stroke of halftime as Maxwell Otieno scored with a free header from Mukangula’s corner. In the second half, Leopards picked up from where they left with the partnership of Omune and Otieno troubling K’Ogalo defenders Geoffrey Ochieng’ and Philemon Otieno.
Leopards coach Patrick Aussems brought on winger Cliff Nyakeya for Lukwama to reinforce his attack.
Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry made his first substitution in the 74th minute as Austin Odhiambo made way for winger John Macharia. However, the substitutions did not bear fruit as Ingwe held on for the famous win.
