Kariobangi Sharks 0-2 AFC Leopards: Abdalla, Oburu strikes hand Ingwe 10th GOtv Shield

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

What you need to know:

  • Defender Salim Abdalla headed home the opener in the first half from Duncan Otieno's corner.
  • Vincent Oburu stabbed the second goal under heavy rainfall with nine minutes to stoppage time to give Leopards the ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup next year.

AFC Leopards beat Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani to clinch their 10th GOtv Shield trophy.

Defender Salim Abdalla headed home the opener in the first half from Duncan Otieno's corner before youngster Vincent Oburu stabbed the second goal under heavy rainfall with nine minutes to stoppage time to give Leopards the ticket to the Caf Confederation Cup next year.

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

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

An ugly scene at the beginning of the second half however caused an eight-minute stoppage in the match as AFC Leopards stewards tried to forcefully eject two members of the Sharks backroom staff behind the Ingwe goal.

Meanwhile, a section of the fans chanted slogans against Football Kenya Federation boss Nick Mwendwa and Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi and had to be pacified by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja who emerged from the VIP area donning a Leopards jersey.

An AFC Leopards fan displays a placard calling for the resignation of Harambee Stars head coach Stanley Okumbi during the GOtv Shield final between AFC Leopards and Kariobangi Sharks on October 20, 2017 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. PHOTO | VINCENT OPIYO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Following their early capitulation in the race for the league title, the domestic cup was the only piece of silverware available for Leopards, and they delivered an unusually vibrant performance that was truly worthy of their status as eventual champions.

Coach Robert Matano, missing defender Robinson Kamura, had to tweak his back line by starting skipper Duncan Otieno in his place to partner Abdalla, with Lewis Wanami at right back and Dennis Sikhayi at left back.

Led by Aziz Okaka, Vincent Oburu and Ray Omondi, Ingwe started on a high and were making inroads into the Sharks half with ease from the opening whistle, but they squandered close to a dozen chances before the quarter hour mark.

In the 18th minute, a corner was floated into the area by Otieno on the right, and Abdalla rose highest to head home to send charged fans into a frenzy.

The 13-time league champions continued in their dominant ways throughout that half, as Sharks appeared distraught by the overwhelming home support and created little within that period.

Sharks' first real chance came in the 23rd minute when Mathew Tayo Odongo dispatched a long range shot from outside the box which caught Gabriel Andika unawares, only for the ball to eventually sail narrowly off target.

In-form striker Masoud Juma had his chance at the half hour mark when he managed to get himself into the Leopards half, but he failed to finish off with only Andika to beat. The Leopards goalkeeper did well to come out of his line to deny Masoud again as Sharks launched a series of onslaught before the break.

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

The rains started to pound midway through the second half, and Sharks took advantage and tried to make some clever inroads through their opponents' half.

Oburu however put the match beyond doubt in the 81st minute with a ferocious shot from close range after Sharks goalkeeper John Oyemba parried a cross into his path, eliciting wild celebrations from the Ingwe fans.