By Bonface Osano,
Western Stima’s super sub Victor Ochieng’s brace in the second half was all that power men needed to ensure they harvested maximum points against AFC Leopards in a KPL match played at Kisumu Moi Stadium on Saturday 23rd to move third in the log table.
A part from the heavy rain that soaked the AstroTurf at the Kisumu stadium not much could be picked from the first half of the match as the game had to be stopped for a few minutes as disgruntled fans hurled stones into the pitch after Ronald Okoth’s careless charge on Ingwe’s left back Abdalla Juma was not fully punished by referee George Mwai.
Jacob Keli and Musa Mudde all came close for the visitors but Western Stima keeper Andika was equal to the task.The second half started much brighter after the rain had stopped with both sides going all out for the opener.
Western Stima keeper pulled a series of saves to deny Jacob Keli in the 47th minute after the Ingwe stop scorer was put through by Austin Ikenna from the left.
The hosts responded in the 50’ minute but Ronald Okoth’s feeble shot from Eston Esiye pass did not trouble Adika.
Victor Ochieng brace
Substitute Victor Ochieng who came on for Eston Esiye in the 65th minute grabbed a brace within two minutes to silence the crowd at the stadium.
John Kiplangat forced Leopards defender Jackson Saleh to a skewed clearance that landed on Victor’s path just outside the box as he wasted no time releasing a thunderous shot that Ingwe keeper Wycliffe Kasaya could not deal with for the opener in the 68th minute.
Victor was not done yet and in the 70th minute from almost a similar position he released another stinging shot that left Kasaya well beaten to grab his brace and secure the three points.
AFC Leopards coach Zdravko Logarusic was graceful in defeat congratulating the winners, “We did not take our chances and we got punished. We will keep going; ref lost is a bit but we don’t want to dwell there. We congratulate Stima for the win.”
Coach Henry Omino on the other side was buoyant,”Beating AFC Leopards is like a formality, if I lose to them then there is something wrong, I have beaten them since 1983.”
AFC Leopards drop to fourth in the log with 21 points from 13 matches.
Line ups
Western Stima Starting XI: Gabriel Andika, Dennis Sikhai, Hudson Muhako, Vitalis Akumu, Joash Onyango, Fredrick Shimonyo, Eston Omengo [Victor Ochieng 66’], Baron Oketch, Ronald Okoth [George Wesa 88’],Kevin Okoth, John Kiplangat
Unused Subs: Stephen Odhiambo, Victor Odour, Daniel Ochieng’ and Hedson Mauda
AFC Leopards Starting XI: 18. Wycliffe Kasaya, 5. Edwin Wafula, Jackson Saleh, Fredrick Ndaaka, Abdala Juma [Emmanuel Ngama 60’], Musa Mudde, Bernard Mango’li, Duncan Otieno, Michael Khamati [Austine Ikenna 36’], Jacob Keli, Noah Wafula [Lamin Diallo 46’]
Unused Subs: Joel Bataro, Edward Seda, Clement Mata and Dennis Dodi
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