‘Ingwe’ leave bitter taste in Sony mouths

• Sugarmen fall to lone Leopards goal in Kisii as home team Oserian clinch Naivasha derby

Bernard Mang’oli’s first half goal brought AFC Leopards to within two points of leaders Tusker in the Kenyan Premier League table on Saturday.

With Tusker and Sofapaka collecting a single point each in their 17th round games, and Leopards winning against Sony Sugar, the race for the title remains too close to call.

Sofapaka had laboured to hold Muhoroni Youth to a two-all draw on Friday night when they were expected to win and after Tusker fought from behind to pick a point in Chemelil, Leopards had all reasons to go out and party. Ingwe now have 34 points, Tusker have 36 and Sofapaka 33.

Once again it was new catch Paul Were who played the role of the provider as Leopards collected maximum points.

Just 10 days after he created a chance for Allan Wanga to score in a 1-0 victory against Sofapaka, Were was once again the creative spark for Ingwe to make it two wins in a row, this time creating the opportunity for Mang’oli.

“I’m happy I have fitted in well in Leopards’ playing unit,” said Were on Saturday after the win at Gusii Stadium.

Tusker coach Sammy Omollo left Chemelil relieved with the 1-1 draw.

Had it not been Fred Onyango’s 87th minute goal, the champions would have left the sugarcane producing zone empty handed.

Chemelil had led the game from a Jared Obwoge goal in the 22nd minute and looked set for a famous win.

The draw still keeps Tusker at the top of the league with 36 points while Chemelil upstage Gor Mahia at the sixth position with 24 points.

In Naivasha, Oserian won the flower derby beating Karuturi by a solitary goal.

Ugandan Edmond Murai scored with a fine strike in the 59th minute.

Gor Mahia play Kenya Commercial Bank at City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.