Posta Rangers stun Muhoroni Youth

AFC Leopards and Mathare United played to a one-all draw in a pulsating SportPesa Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

In an earlier match staged at the same venue, league Posta Rangers made a perfect start at this level when they upset Muhoroni Youth 2-0.

In the big meeting of the afternoon, Leopards’ Andrew Tololwa’s goal cancelled out Obadiah Ndege’s very early strike in this see-saw affair.

The match marked the return to the Premier League of AFC Leopards’ Dutch coach Jan Koops.

Ingwe presented a new look team that had nine fresh names in the starting line-up including Kenya international Clifton Miheso, Kepha Aswani, Andrew Tololwa and Bernard Ongoma. Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi, on the other hand, utilized the bulk of players that did duty for the club last year.

CREATE TROUBLE

Ndege opened the scoring for Mathare United in the second minute after being teed up by defender Noah Abich.

Ingwe responded well after this, Miheso and forward Lamine Dialo combining nicely to create trouble for the Mathare back line.

Ingwe levelled matters in the 34th minute when Chrispinus Oduor handled the ball in an attempt to clear a dangerous ball inside the box, resulting in a penalty.

New signing Tololwa then stepped forward to sent goalkeeper Robert Mboya the wrong way.

“This is the first game of the season and you have to be satisfied if you manage even one point.

We had enough chances and we could have pulled off a better result, but I am satisfied with the draw because it is a good place to start building momentum,” Mathare coach Francis Kimanzi said after the game.

In the early afternoon game, former Gor Mahia striker Timothy Otieno was on fire throughout with a double to announce his return to action.

Otieno gave Rangers an early lead when he turned in a cross delivered by midfielder Dennis Mukaisi in the sixth minute.

He completed his brace in the 76th minute with a spectacular finish that left Muhoroni goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo well stranded.

League action continues on Wednesday when champions Gor Mahia join the fray against Chemelil Sugar at Moi Stadium, Kisumu, while GOtv Shield winners Sofapaka will come up against Nairobi City Stars at Nyayo Stadium on Thursday.