Ingwe sneak into GOtv finals

The 2013 GOtv champions AFC Leopards will now play Kariobangi Sharks in the finals of the Gotv Shield tourney after they secured a hard-fought 1-0 over Vihiga United in a semi-final match at Afraha Stadium on Sunday.

Burundian forward Alexis Kitenge scored the sole goal through a penalty in the 84th minute.

The Robert "The Lion" Matano coached side were stretched to the limit by the lower-tier side who contained the big cats foiling all their dangerous moves particularly in the first half.

Rashid Kyambadde nearly put Vihiga United ahead in the 17th minute but his goal bound shot was cleverly blocked by AFC Leopards goalkeeper Ian Otieno who had a busy afternoon between the sticks.

Still calling the shots, Vihiga United took the game to their opponents and in the 39th minute, Leopards defence had a close shave when stopper Bernard Oginga rocket went over the crossbar.

A minute before the interval AFC Leopards defence was in trouble again when the towering Martin Imbalambala's firm header missed the target by inches.

On resumption, Vihiga head coach Edward Manoah, who is a former Leopards coach, made three changes bringing in Patrick Onganya, Godfrey Demesi and Dennis Kisambo for Clyde Nevade, Dennis Simiyu and Rashid Kymbadde to bolster the attacking formation.

On the opposite side, coach Matano made two changes introducing Keziron Kizito and Marselas Ingotsi for Vincent Juma and Whyvonne Isuza a move that briefly turned around his blunt attacking frontline.

In the 65th minute, Robinson Kamura booted high ball inside Vihiga United rear guard but off colour Samuel Ndung'u missed to tap in the ball.

Earlier, Ndung'u missed yet another scoring opportunity when his shot went over the cross bar when scoring seemed to be the easiest thing to do for him.

AFC Leopards were made to wait until the 84th minute when Burundian Kitenge slotted from the spot after one of the Vihiga United defender's handled inside the box prompting referee Anthony Juma to award Ingwe the spot kick.

Kitenge did not disappoint as he fired a powerful shot that beat goalkeeper Barnabas Tiema to make it four gaols in the competition.

Kitenge has so far scored only one goal for Leopards in the SportsPesa Premier League.

Coach Matano was an elated man after the match and defended his side's slim victory.

" We played well and what mattered is a winning goal which we got at the tail end of the match and I am satisfied with the victory," said Matano.

Coach Manoa blamed lack of experience from his charges and missed chances in the first half for the loss.

" We had the lion's share of missed chances in this game and it was a last minute defensive lapse which caught us flat footed allowing our opponents to score an easy goal," said Manoah said.