Mashemeji Derby Rivals Gor, Leopards Hit As Sony Cruise Over Sharks

15th May 2019

KCB solitary goal against Ingwe came from a persistent Kennedy Owino in the first half to give the bankers all the three points

 Sony Sugar FC celebrating a goal during a Sportpesa Premier League game on February 7, 2019. PHOTO/SONY SUGAR FC
Sony Sugar FC celebrating a goal during a Sportpesa Premier League game on February 7, 2019. PHOTO/SONY SUGAR FC
SUMMARY
  • Leaders Gor Mahia FC were stunned 1-0 by Nzoia Sugar FC in a SportPesa Premier League (SPL) match at Mumias Sports Complex on Wednesday evening
  • The untimely defeat for Leopards comes right as they prepare for the biggest game of  their SPL campaign, the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby
    • Boniface Mukhehe came close in the 89th minute with a right footed effort that went inches wide, a loud cry of agony coming from the Leopards fans in the terraces

    MACHAKOS, Kenya- Leaders Gor Mahia FC were stunned 1-0 by Nzoia Sugar FC in a SportPesa Premier League (SPL) match at Mumias Sports Complex on Wednesday evening.

    It was also the same fate that befell AFC Leopards SC who lost with a similar margin against Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) FC at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.

    Salmon Omollo and Enock Agwanda were on target as Sony Sugar FC beat Kariobangi Sharks FC 2-0 at Awendo Green Stadium in Migori. Zoo Kericho FC also edged Western Stima FC 2-1 at Kericho Green Stadium.

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    KCB solitary goal against Leopards came from a persistent Kennedy Owino in the first half to give the bankers all the three points. 

    The untimely defeat for Leopards comes right as they prepare for the biggest game of  their SPL campaign, the highly anticipated Mashemeji Derby. 

    Leopards will take on eternal rivals Gor on Sunday at 4:15pm (+3 GMT) at  Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi.

    The result leaves Leopards in ninth on 39 points whilst the bankers remain in 11th, two points less than the opponents. 

    Leopards coach Andre Casa Mbungo opted to rest both Harambee Stars internationals Whyvonne Isuza and Paul Were, also David 'Cheche' Ochieng'  was absent from the traveling squad.

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    Owino went on one of his pacy runs in the second minute of  play but it could only amount to the first corner.

    Leopards captain Robinson Kamura forced a great save from Jospeh Okoth in the sixth from a direct free kick, but the KCB custodian tipped it over for a corner.

    Eugene Mukangula got his first sniff at goal in the 11th when he let loose a fierce left footed effort that went inches wide of the goal but caused a loud cheer from the traveling fans. 

    Kamura got another go five minutes later from a free kick in a closer position, but his cheeky grounded effort was blocked by Michael Mutinda. 

    KCB responded with a great counter attack which fell to the reliable Owino but he couldn't get a shot off, the ref signaling for a goal kick.

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     Leopards came close again on the half hour mark from a Kamura free kick but this time he picked out Ezekiel Okaka who laid it off for Mukangula but his shot was deflected for a corner. 

    Owino responded for KCB four minutes later with an attempt on goal after doing well to skip past Isaac Kipyegon but his attempt was easily gathered by Ezekiel Owade in the Leopards goal. 

    Owade couldn't do much in the 36th when Owino poked it past him to give the bankers a 1-0 lead a after he showed a clean pair of heels to the Leopards defence after a beautiful cross field pass from his captain Michael Kibwage. 

    KCB did well to keep their calm to see out the half as they went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead. 

    Leopards began the second half with a double change as two strikers, Tatuwe Wayyeka and Vincent Oburu came on in place of Okaka and Mukangula. 

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    Kamura's free kick in the 46th came with shouts for a penalty but the referee gave a corner instead. 

    The captain continued to lead his side and was unfortunate to see his header come off the crossbar in the 51st minute of the game. 

    KCB almost doubled their advantage on the hour mark but Martin Nderitu failed to get a shot away in the penalty area and Leopards came out with the ball. 

    Saad Mugabe wasted a great opportunity to get the ball on target in the 62nd minute as AFC's frustrating afternoon continued.

    KCB coach Frank Ouna made his first change of the game a minute later bringing on the returning Samuel Mwangi for Clinton Kisiavuki.

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    The first yellow card of the match was shown to KCB right back Baraka Badi after a reckless challenge on Kipyegon.

    With seven minutes left in the game, Leopards still hadn't found a way past the KCB defence and the bankers looked to be holding out for the vital three points. 

    Substitute Oburu did well to holf off challenges from two KCB players in their own penalty area and laid it off for Dennis Sikhayi but his effort went flying over the bar. 

    Said Tsuma was too enthusiastic in a challenge he made on Brian Ochieng', the referee reaching into his pocket for the second yellow of the game. 

    Boniface Mukhehe came close in the 89th minute with a right footed effort that went inches wide, a loud cry of agony coming from the Leopards fans in the terraces. 

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    Goalscorer Owino received a yellow card in the last minute of the game for illegally blocking a Jaffrey Owiti free kick.