Substitute Hansel Ochieng’s goal in the 90+4th minute led a ten-man AFC Leopards to a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars 1-0 in a 15th round Premier League game played at Kasarani on Saturday 6 March 2021.
Substitute Hansel Ochieng’s goal in the 90+4th minute led a ten-man AFC Leopards to a 1-0 win over Nairobi City Stars 1-0 in a 15th round Premier League game played at Kasarani on Saturday 6 March 2021.
Hansel powered in a cross from the right to the far post out of reach of City Stars keeper Steve Njunge who did all he could to stop the final ball of the game, but to no avail.
Leopards, facing City Stars for the first time in the Premier League since 2016, were reduced to ten-men four minutes into the second half after skipper Robinson Kamura was slapped with a straight red card when, as the last man, stopped a goal charging Oliver Maloba.
It is City Stars that had the first real chance of the game when, six minutes in, Bolton Omwenga whipped goalward a 40-yard freekick that received a spill from Leopards skipper Benjamin Ochan. The second ball seemed to have hit the hand of a Leopards player in the box but the referee waved play on.
In the 13th minute a conspicuous Maloba aimed for the far post but his shot went just off and two minutes later Eugene Mukangula had a response for Leopards but he skied an Elvis Rupia knockdown.
At the half hour mark Rupia attempted a shot from range but it fly wide. But two minutes on, in what was a chance for goal off a perfect Rupia layup, Mukangula sent the ball wide when it looked easier to score than miss.
Into the second half, a charging Maloba, connecting to a through ball from Davis Agesa, got to within inches of the box only to be tackled by the last man Kamura who saw red. The resultant freekick by skipper Anthony Muki Kimani went just wide.
Tactical changes from the red card a little later saw Bienvenue Shaka sacrificed for defender Washington Munene.
Ten minutes in, Bolton hammered a cross from the left but Erick Ombija, on for an injured Ebrimma Sanneh in the 28th minute.
Not too long after City Stars were forced to onboard stopper Wycliffe Otieno in place of Kenedy Onyango who could not continue with the game due to injury.
As the ball wore on, City Stars had the chances to finish off Leopards but a Timothy Ouma through ball and a freekick by Bolton all ended up with Ochan in goal. One other chance saw Maloba bullied off the ball after being put through on goal.
With 12 minutes to time, a long range shot saw Njunge spill it twice before Bolton showed up to clear out the danger.
The one final charge by Leopards saw the ball cross goal from the left to receive a lift from the right that sound Hansel’s head for the decider right at the death.
From the win, Leopards shot to second place on the 18-team log with 28 points as City Stars stagnates at ninth with 19 points.
From the win, Leopards shot to second place on the 18-team log with 28 points as City Stars stagnates at ninth with 19 points.
Lineups
AFC Leopards: 99. Benjamin Ochan, 25. Lewis Bandi, 12. Isaac Kipyegon, 28. Clyde Senaji, 17. Fabrice Mugheni, 19. Eugene Mukangula (23. Austin Odhiambo-46), 26. Marvin Omondi, 10. Elvis Rupia (11. Hansel Ochieng-78), 13. Shaka Bienvenue (3. Washington Munene-52), 14. Peter Thiong’o ( 77. Caleb Olilo-70)
Unused subs: John Oyemba (GK), 2. Yusuf Mainge, 6.Tsuma Said, 7. Harrison Mwendwa, 27. Jaffari Owiti,
Head Coach: Patrick Aussems
Nairobi City Stars: 23. Steve Njunge (GK), 19. Kevin Okumu, 25. Kenedy Onyango (22. Wycliffe Otieno-76), 4. Salim Abdalla, 26. Balton Omwenga, 18. Sven Yidah (20. Timothy Ouma-76), 10. Peter Opiyo, 30. Anthony Kimani-Captain (7. Rodgers Okumu-64) 21. Oliver Maloba, 29. Ebrima Sanneh (24. Erick Ombija-28), 11. Davis Agesa
Unused subs: 1. Elvis Ochoro (GK), 32. Ezekiel Odera, 8. Calvin Masawa, 5. Wesley Onguso, 3. Charles Otieno
Not considered: 6. Ronney Kola, 14. Rowland Makati (both on loan at Nairobi Stima), 12. Edwin Buliba, 15. John Kamau, 16. Jacob Osano, 27. Azizi Okaka, 9. Vincent Otieno Okoth, 28. Herit Mungai Atariza, 2. Elvis Noor Ojiambo
Coach: Sanjin Alagic
Red Card: 4. Robinson Kamura-50 (AFC Leopards)
Yellow cards: 23. Austin Odhiambo-65, 11. Hansel Ochieng-90+5 (AFC Leopards)//10. Peter Opiyo-61 (Nairobi City Stars)
Goals: 11. Hansel Ochieng-90+4 (AFC Leopards)
Salim Shitu Abdalla takes on AFC Leopards Isaac Kipyegon in a round 15 Premier League played at Kasarani on Sat 6 Mar 2021. Leopards won the game 1-0
Davis Agesa in a game against AFC Leopards on Sat 6 Mar 2021 during a round 15 Premier League tie. Leopards won 1-0