By Evans Oduor,

Meshack Karani netted a brace to help visiting Chemelil Sugar in each half to beat AFC Leopards 2 – 1 in a sportpesa Premier League (SPL) match played at the City Stadium on Saturday 29 August from 1pm EAT.

Chemelil went for the break leading by a goal scored in the 19th minute through Meshack Karani who lurched on a loose ball to between AFC defenders before beating Lucas Indeche with a beautiful curling shot into the far right corner of the net.

Ingwe started brightly showing much intent of going forward in the opening minutes but none was fruitful. Early on, Lamine Diallo missed a golden chance to head home a Khalid Jumaan cross from the right flank and in the 12th minute, Diallo splashed yet another chance to bury the ball in the net after a Jumaan corner kick.

The visitors were not worried by the home team’s attacking line but played a very tactical game with Wakhanya Daniel Mutahi and Joshua Oyoo threatening on the flanks. They came close in the 15th minute but Karani saw his shot blocked by Indeche.

Ingwe looked clueless in the midfield and were being outplayed by that of Chemelil who took their time to control the proceedings. Ingwe had a rear chance seven minutes to the break after Diallo combined with Patrick Kagogo but the latter’s shot was blocked by Adira, heading for the break trailing by a solitary goal.

In the second half, the visitors come out from were the left off and were award with a wonderful chance to doubled the lead in the 58th minute through Karani who turned home following Masika’s failure to clear the mess, Oyoo would have made it three but his hard shot was picked by Indeche.

Akwana then brought in Duncan Otieno for Khalid Jumaan in the 64th minute and the youngster reduced the deificit with a good finish in the 70th minute. He started a run into the millers defence before exchanging passes with Diallo who set him up to chip past Adira for their first goal. They would have cancelled Chemelil’s lead in the 81st minute but Mang’oli’s shot from the edge of the box was punched by Adira with Khamati unable to connect home the rebound.

The millers win deepen Ingwe’s wows and make their 6th in 14 meetings against Leopards.The win liftes Chemelil to 12th spot on 27 points while Leopards remain fifth on 35 from 25 rounds.

AFC Leopards Starting XI: Lucas Indeche, Edwin Wafula, Martin Kiiza, Eric Masika, Solomon Nasio, Ivan Anguyo, Khalid Jumaan, Benard Mangoli, Michael Khamati, Laminne Diallo, Patrick Kagogo

Subs: Eliud Emase, Israel Emuge, Joseph Njuguna, Duncan Otieno, Victor Omune, Clement Kademba and Simon Sikuku.

Chemelil Starting XI: Jairus Adira, Jonathan Mwaniki, Samuel Olwande, Smith Ouko, James Omino, David Omengo, Joshua Oyoo, Daniel Murage, Hamisi Mwinyi, Stephen Wakhanya and Meshack Karani.

Subs: John Wawu, Robert Indimuli, David Oriki, Alloyce Mangi, Dennis Onkangi, Geoffrey Ouma and Jackson Ochieng

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com