Leopards warm up for GOtv Shield final with Ulinzi win

Former champions AFC Leopards warmed up for the GOtv Shield final with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars in a dour midweek SportPesa Premier League match at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Tuesday.

Leopards, who were clawed 2-0 by Posta Rangers in Narok Stadium at the weekend, got the all-important goal in the 63rd minute through midfielder Wyvonne Isuza.

Leopards coach Robert Matano, facing his immediate former employers, praised his charges after the match but said his focus is now on the GOtv Shield final set for Friday against Kariobangi Sharks – who were hammered 3-1 by Gor Mahia in Kisumu also on Tuesday.

"I am happy at last we have won a league match after a long time and my focus now is the GOtv final on Friday," said a visibly happy coach Matano.

Following their victory, Leopards increased their point tally to 36 and jumped from position 13 to 10th in the standings.

The soldiers, with 43 points, retain their fourth position with five matches remaining.

ONGOMA'S SHOT

Ulinzi Stars, who missed the services of six of their first team players due to suspension, were a pale shadow of themselves in the encounter.

Former Leopards midfielder Bernard Ongoma nearly opened the scoring for the soldiers but his rasping shot inside the 18-yard box sailed over the cross bar 17 minutes into the match.

On the opposite side, youngster Vincent Oburu saw his glancing header in the 21st minute miss the target narrowly.

Oburu, who was a constant threat to Ulinzi Stars defence, breached the soldiers’ backline in the 25th minute but his blockbuster was bravely blocked by goalkeeper Timothy Odhiambo.

On resumption, coach Nyangweso introduced Enosh Ochieng, Elvis Nandwa and Mike Otieno for Mark Bikokwa, Churchill Mukoma and Cliff Kasuti – in a bid to revamp his attack – but nothing changed.

AFC Leopards were rewarded for piling the pressure on the soldiers when Victor Majid released a well weighted cross which was fired into the net by Isuza for his second goal of the season.

With an eye on the GOtv Shield final, Matano made two changes, bringing in Harun Nyakha and Alexis Kitenge for Vincent Oburu and Isuza.

A dejected Nyangweso blamed the absence of experienced players from his line up for the defeat.

"This was an easy match for us but some of the new players lacked fitness to tackle a team of Leopards’ calibre. We made one mistake and we were punished for that," said coach Nyangweso.

However, he said he was optimistic to finish among the top five teams by winning the remaining five matches.

Ulinzi Stars take on leaders Gor Mahia on Sunday at the same venue, a match that could see K’Ogalo crowned champions.