AFC Leopards slay Gor Mahia for first derby win since 2016

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 14 – Maxwell Otieno scored the winner late in the first half as AFC Leopards picked their first win over arch rivals Gor Mahia since March 2016, beating them 2-1 in the Mashemeji Derby at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Victor Omune broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, but the goal was cancelled out by Austin Odhiambo’s goal, before Otieno headed home his third goal of the season.

Gor Mahia had a penalty miss before Leopards went ahead, Benson Omalla seeing his spot kick go inches wide.

President William Ruto, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Sports CS Ababu Namwamba and his Mining colleague Salim Mvurya, Kasarani MP and SportPesa boss Ronald Karauri, Lang’ata’s Phelix Odiwuor and Kiharu’s Ndindi Nyoro were among the dignitaries at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Omune gave Leopards the lead in the 34^th minute converting from the penalty spot after Otieno had been axed inside the box by Sylvester Owino.

AFC Leopards forward Jaffary Owiti battles for the ball with Gor Mahia’s Alpha Onyango. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

The goal came just eight minutes after K’Ogalo had also missed a penalty, their top scorer Omalla placing his effort wide after Peter Lwasa had been brought down inside the box by keeper Levis Opiyo.

Gor however equalized in the 39^th minute, Odhiambo scoring against his former employers when he flicked in a header from Dennis Ng’ang’a’s corner.

Odhiambo had been a thorn in Ingwe’s flesh, having had three good chances, first shooting straight at Opiyo before his volley from a corner went inches wide.

Ingwe however went to the break noses up when Otieno rose to head home at the backpost from a Eugene Mukangula corner.

Gor Mahia’s Austin Odhiambo passes the ball under pressure from AFC Leopards midfielder Musa Oundo. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

In the second half, the tempo of the game remained high and Opiyo had to make another brilliant save eight minutes after the restart to keep out Odhiambo’s effort from point blank.

Two minutes later, Otieno was sent through on goal by Mukangula, but he could not get the ball past keeper Gad Mathews.

Despite concerted efforts by Gor pinning Leopards in their own half and dumping ball inside the box, Leopards defended well to see off the victory, that comes as good news to Tusker FC who remain top of the table.