Last-gasp own goal hands Leopards semis slot

An own goal by an overworked Bandari defender Islam Omar saved the day for hungry AFC Leopards who clawed the dockers 1-0 in an entertaining Kenyan Premier League Top Eight quarterfinal match played at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County on Saturday.

But despite the slim one-goal goal margin the James Nandwa-coached Ingwe should have comfortably wrapped up the game with a convincing victory but their goal-shy forwards and midfielders led by Paul Were, Jacob Keli, Ezekiel Seda and Bernard Mang’oli wasted a dozen scoring chances.

Cheered by their travelling fans, some of whom had hired vehicles from as far away as Vihiga County, Leopards went into the offensive moments after referee Andrew Juma signalled the start of the match.

After a series of missed chances, Were, who had brilliant afternoon, was put through by Seda in the 42nd minute and shook the net with a fierce pile drive but the goal was disallowed for off side.

Sensing danger Bandari made a dangerous counter attack and nearly opened the scoring when David Naftali rattled the goal post with a rasping shot with goalkeeper Martin Musalia well beaten.

After the recess, Were picked a loose ball on the left touchline and rounded Bandari’s Duncan Otewa and with a yawning goal in front of him, he shot wide in what would have been Leopards opening goal in the 48th minute.

And as the Ingwe fans were growing impatient, Keli raised their adrenalin when he penetrated through a solid Bandari defence, which was well marshalled by Raphael Okello, but his 61st minute shot missed the target by inches.

LAST-GASP GOAL

Leopards' winning goal came as referee Juma was about to end the match in the 93rd minute when Charles Okwemba weaved through two Bandari defenders and unleashed a low flying shot inside the box and as Bandari defenders were trying to clear it, Islam Omar, under pressure, sent the ball into his own net.

A visibly tensed coach Nandwa was the happiest man in the field after referee Juma blew his final whistle. “We local coaches are not taken seriously but we shall soldier on and prove that we can make it,” said Nandwa in an apparent reference to the ongoing confusion at the club as to whether he will continue to be the head coach after a section of the club officials said the club had hired Italian Emanuele Filippini as the new Ingwe coach.

(READ: Troubled Leopards appoint Filippini as head coach)

“Leopards has one of the best team this season and what is ailing the club is poor finishing. I’m working towards sharpening the attack which has not clicked so far and I urge our fans to be patient,” said Nandwa.

Bandari coach Twahir Muhiddin conceded defeat and blamed his charges for making few inroads at the Ingwe rearguard.

“We didn’t use our speed and since now we have bid good bye to the Top Eight tournament, this gives me ample time to put our house in order ahead of our two league matches against Top Fry AllStars on Wednesday at Afraha and KCB on Saturday in Nairobi,” said the soft spoken coach.