AFC Leopards stun Thika as Tusker wither at Sher
AFC Leopards Peter Imbalabala (right) and Mwangi of Thika United contest for the ball during their Kenyan Premier League tie at the Nyayo National Stadium. Photo/MOHAMMED AMIN
Demonde Selenga scored his maiden AFC Leopards goal to guide his side to their first 2010 Kenyan Premier League victory, a 1-0 triumph over Thika United on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
At the Nairobi City Stadium, Mahakama shared the spoils with Nairobi City Stars in their barren draw, while in Naivasha, visiting Tusker FC tasted their first KPL loss after they went down 1-2 against Sher Karuturi.
Lacklustre United
For 45 minutes, Leopards dominated, taking a deserved lead through the excellent Selega after 38 minutes against an initially confused, lacklustre United.
“This was a good result for us. It will give us the desired boost as we prepare for our next match,” noted Leopards’ head coach, Chris Makokha.
The visitors, yearning for their first win, threatened to embarrass the hosts until Makokha’s oratory from the touchline and substitutions shook United up.
Suddenly, the hosts were playing with a better tempo, being far quicker to hound the visitors.
Peter Mwangi’s arrival gave Selenga a more substantial target-man role than the disappointing Itubu Imbem.
Most significantly, Selenga demonstrated his ability on the floor, scoring after a one-two exchange with Imbem, who had quite an anonymous afternoon.
To the crowd’s delight, Leopards really took the game to the visitors, particularly when Peter Mwangi was revelling in the right-sided acres where Imbem had disappeared.
The Congolese import began brightly but was soon running up cul de sacs.
Highly entertaining
In Naivasha, Tusker FC failed to break the jinx of losing to Sher Karuturi after going down 2-1 in a highly entertaining match played at Sher Stadium.
Veteran Jacob Omondi opened the account for the home side after connecting a well timed shot from man of the match, Alfred Chole, in the 38th minute.
Tusker replied almost immediately after Jokins Atundo rose above the static Sher rearguard to connect with a firm header from Ali Abondo’s cross in the 44th minute.
On resumption, the home side continued to press on and their efforts were rewarded after Allan Otindo drew out Tusker goalkeeper Samuel Onyango to score in the empty net after another neat pass from Chole in the 70th minute.
