AFC Leopards’ roar echoes glorious past

AFC Leopards players and officials celebrate lifting the GOtv Shield on October 20, 2017 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • ‘Ingwe’ win record 11th title and second in four years to reflect bits of their trophy-laden distant history.
  • New Shield champions celebrate late into the night but coach Matano says work at club far from complete

This victory had the echoes of a distant past when good times were the order of the day.

An exuberant sea of blue and red - the traditional colours of the team - on the stadium stands and chants of “Ingwe, Ingwe!”

It was an electrifying atmosphere as one of Kenya’s most successful club AFC Leopards brushed aside upstarts Kariobangi United 2-0 to win the GOtv Shield final at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday.

Nations Sport can confirm that celebrations went late into the night as the passionate Ingwe following savoured rare success to the throb of Isukuti, capturing what was common in decades gone by.

AFC Leopards players celebrate lifting the GOtv Shield on October 20, 2017 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

AFC Leopards players and officials celebrate lifting the GOtv Shield on October 20, 2017 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

AFC Leopards fans celebrate a goal during the GOtv Shield final match between Kariobangi Sharks and AFC Leopards on October 20, 2017 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The club also become the first team to win 11 Shield titles.

But even in victory Leopards coach kept his feet on the ground.

IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM

Matano said the team was a long way from reaching the standards of the great Ingwe outfits of the 1970s and 80s.

Matano, who guided the team to a stirring 2-0 win over Kariobangi Sharks in the Shield final on Friday, however said that he had successfully identified the problem, and that each member of the team had a role to play to get the club back to its glory days.

By virtue of winning this annual knock-out tournament, Leopards earned the right to represent Kenya in next year’s Caf Confederation Cup.

AFC Leopards starting XI pose for a team photo before facing Kariobangi Sharks in the 2017 Gotv Shield final on October 20, 2017 at Moi International Sports Centre, Nairobi. From left, Victor Majid, Vincent Oburu, Salim Abdalla, Dennis Sikhayi, Duncan Otieno, Lewis Wanami, Whyvonne Isutza, Musa Mudde, Aziz Okaka, Ray Omondi and Gabriel Andika (front-centre). PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

But Matano, a former Sofapaka, Tusker and Ulinzi Stars coach, admitted that he had not given the continental club tournament any thought for now.

“We are still far from where our predecessors in the ‘80s were but performances like these make you see that we can win matches.

“The problem is that we cannot win many matches. Consistency is the problem and it will take some dedication from every player to change that.

“The players know this and they know what to do because we train every day.

“They must all take responsibility and keep the winning spirit alive as was the case years ago when winning was a way of life here.

“The Caf competitions are due next year but we have other duties to perform before then. The league is still going on so I prefer to ensure that we get ourselves in a good position before the end of the season before I think about Confederation Cup,” he said.

Ingwe indeed delivered a performance worthy of champions, with forward Vincent Oburu, defender Salim Abdalla and midfielder Musa Mudde taking charge of their respective departments with cool, impressive authority. Oburu and Abdalla scored brilliant goals either side of half time as Ingwe played with hunger and intent.

AFC Leopards defender Salim Abdalla heads the ball under pressure from Kariobangi Sharks striker Juma Masoud during their Gotv Shield final on October 20, 2017 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kariobangi Sharks striker Masoud Juma shields AFC Leopards defender Lewis Wanami (left) during the GOtv Shield final on October 20, 2017 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Sharks, who had met Leopards twice before this season in the SportPesa Premier League - wining 2-0, and drawing 0-0 - simply did not turn up on this day.

Small wonder their assistant coach Bernard Kawinzi said this after the match: “AFC wanted it more. They borrowed what Gor did to us in the league (beat them 3-1).”

Leopards, with 29 Shield goals in the bag, reclaimed the title they last won in 2013 and ensured they at least will end the season with some silverware in their cabinet.

But Sharks deserve a lot of praise despite capitulating at the very final stage.

Models carry the GOtv Shield before the start of the final pitting Kariobangi Sharks and AFC Leopards on October 20, 2017 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The William Muluya-coached side, despite their unfamiliarity at this level, held out for long stretches of the match, and perhaps with more composure and tactical awareness the story could have been different.

FIXTURE CONGESTION

“It is a heartbreaking defeat but I want my players to recover very fast and focus on the remaining league matches."

“They have been victims of a serious fixture congestion so I just want them to relax and replenish their energy before we embark on the four remaining games,” Muluya said.

Leopards will enjoy this victory, but they will know, as their coach has stated, the squad has some way to go before reaching the level of their yesteryears teams.