All Stars tame toothless Leopards
Patrick Oboya on Saturday helped Nakuru All Stars record a 2-1 win over AFC Leopards in a Kenyan Premier League match at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
Muhoroni Youth also posted their fifth win league win on the trot, in Saturday’s other league match blanking Thika United 1-0, thanks to Wycliffe Nyangechi’s second half strike.
Playing without coach Zdravko Logarusic on the bench for the third game in a row, Leopards conceded the opener inside the opening quarter of an hour.
All Stars hit man Lwamba Bebeto got to the end of a long ball from midfield, beat his marker before looping the ball over the advancing custodian Lucas Indeche.
Leopards however drew level five minutes later when Lamin Diallo headed in Bernard Mang’oli’s free kick.
Former Harambee Stars winger Oboya, who was signed by All Stars before the start of the second leg, scored the match winner with a low shot moments after coming off the bench.
“I am happy with this result coming after we lost 2-3 to Ulinzi Stars. I hope we carry this form into our next match against Chemelil,” All Stars coach Peter Okidi said.
FINANCIAL CRISIS
Leopards stand in coach Yusuf Chippo said that the team’s performance on the pitch has been greatly affected by the financial crisis that has hit the club.
In Muhoroni, the home team managed by Ugandan coach Paul Nkata, were by a far better than a Thika United said that is on a downward spiral.
Wellington Ochieng’ and Abass Akinyemi both came close to scoring for the home team. Ochieng’ saw his header cleared off the line by Joseph Kuria while Akinyemi had his shot going narrowly off target.
“We controlled this game in all departments. The players did not panic at any stage which is very commendable. I am very pleased with both the performance and result,” Nkata told Nairobi News on phone.
At the same time, Sofapaka missed an opportunity to dislodge Ulinzi Stars from second spot on the table after only managing a one-all draw with Ushuru at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday night.
Burundian David Mbakiye scored for Sofapaka in the opening half, only for Moses Arita reply for the taxmen late on.
In Friday’s other match, City Stars beat Mathare United 2-0 at the same venue, courtesy of goals from Gambian Ebrima Sanneh and Ugandan Jimmy Bageya.
KPL Results:
City Stars 2 Mathare United 0
Ushuru 1 Sofapaka 1
Muhoroni Youth 1 Thika United 0
Nakuru All Stars 2 AFC Leopards 1