Hungry Leopards claw Gor Mahia

Charles Okwemba put up a splendid performance as AFC Leopards rallied from a goal down to batter Gor Mahia 3-1 in a pulsating Kenyan Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium Sunday.

The 34-year-old Okwemba was in a class of his own, scoring Leopards’ second goal and making assists in the other two, as a well-oiled Ingwe machine gunned down Gor Mahia.

In a well-attended match, leaders Gor raced to an early 1-0 lead in the 24th minute through Timonah Wanyoni’s fine half-volley taken from inside the box after being fed by Dan Sserunkuma. However, Gor would soon run out of gas as a determined Leopards pressed on.

Okwemba’s brilliance made all the difference for Leopards. His intelligent runs and precise passes proved too much for Gor’s midfield as he picked out Jacob Keli in the box in the 35th minute who drilled in a low shot for an equalizer.

Keli’s goal instilled confidence in Leopards players who dictated play in the midfield and Gor never recovered.

At the half hour mark, Abdallah Juma flung in a free kick from the right end which Okwemba headed home to hand his side a 2-1 advantage.

Bernard Mang’oli then put the icing on the cake with 15 minutes left after chesting Okwemba’s cross in the box to score past Gor goalie Jerim Onyango, sending Leopards fans into wild celebration. For Gor fans, the third goal proved a bitter pill to swallow as they began streaming out of the terraces.

OUSTANDING PERFORMANCE

“The most important thing is that we have won. Not my goal, not my performance. I have always been a squad player and I am happy with it,” man-of-the-match Okwemba said.

“Leopards is team in transition and we are taking it one game at a time. ”an ecstatic Okwemba said shortly after claiming his man of the match award.

Gor’s head coach Bobby Williamson on the other hand was magnanimous in defeat.

“When you don’t take your chances you are punished .It was not the best display from us and we paid the price.” he said.

 The win- Leopards biggest victory over Gor who have dominated them in recent matches will be a massive shot in the arm for Dutch man Pieter De Johgh who will take the glory for getting his tactics and fielding right.

The Dutch elected to recall Joseph Shikokoti from wilderness and field him in the holding midfield role as Martin Imablambla retreated to the heart of defense alongside Jackson Saleh and the ploy was effective.

The contest which lived to its billing witnessed a lively atmosphere with both sets of fans engaging in endless rendition. On the field of play, it was Gor who began strongly through Israel Emguge’s header but Wycliffe Kasaya was alert in his goal posts.

 James Situma then came close in the 17th minute with a cracker of a free kick but Jerim nabbed the danger in the opposite goal.

After the breather, action continued to swing from end to end, but Leopards   Dutch football philosophy anchored on ground football and possession proved to be the better game plan.