AFC Leopards whittle Gor Mahia's lead at the summit with win over Posta Rangers

AFC Leopards trimmed Gor Mahia's buffer at the summit of the FKF Premier League to just three points following a 2-1 win over Posta Rangers in an FKF Premier League encounter staged at the Nyayo Stadium.

First-half goals from Kayci Odhiambo and Kelly Madada were enough to deliver the crucial three points despite a second-half strike from Robert Ponda, which in the end proved to be a consolation.

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Ingwe headed into the match on the back of a barren draw against Bandari FC that left them with 37 points, six shy of their arch-rivals and league leaders Gor Mahia.

Posta, on the other hand, were 12th with 24 points, enduring a poor run of form having failed to win their previous eight matches.

Leopards started the match on the front foot and conjured an early chance in the third minute when Samwel Semo and Ronald Sichenje brilliantly linked up on the left side to send the latter through on goal, but his effort was well saved by Peter Odhiambo in the Posta goal.

Two minutes later, Posta had their chance when Leon Kimungui from the right edge of the box unleashed a shot, but it flew well over the post.

The flurry of chances finally amounted to something in the 11th minute when Leopards broke the deadlock through Kelly Madada, who picked a loose ball inside the box and ferociously hit it into the back of the net.

Leopards thought they had earned a penalty in the 15th minute when Sichenje was fouled, but referee Josephine Wanjiru judged the initial contact to have happened outside the box and issued a foul on the edge of the penalty area that Tyson Otieno took and narrowly missed the target.

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Ingwe were not to be denied in the 25th minute when Semo found Kayci Odhiambo on the penalty spot from a corner, with the latter directing his shot past Peter to double the lead.

Kayci would then turn from scorer to saviour in the 32nd minute, brilliantly blocking a Veron Ombima's goal-ward shot.

Posta would draw even closer to pulling one back in the 35th minute when, from a corner, Emmanuel Lwangu cleared a Faustine Ojiambo header off the line.

Leopards had a chance to score the third in the 42nd minute, but Sichenje shot wide after being fed by a cutback from Semo.

The last chance of the half fell to Kimungui, who got to the end of an Ojiambo long throw, but his acrobatic attempt was blocked by the Leopards defense as half time whistle blew shortly thereafter.

Posta introduced Vincent Wasambo, Eliud Lokuwam and Karisa Ponda for Elvis Osok, Ombima and Shem Odinga.

The substitutions pumped new life into Posta’s game as the team began the second half as the better of the two sides.

The Mailmen were attacking from the wide areas through Brian Marita and Celeb Olilo, who were giving Semo all sorts of problems.

Posta had a chance to score at the hour mark when Olilo dribbled past Semo and found Wasambo, who lost the ball as he took too long to pull the trigger.

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Leopards had their first chance of the half in the 65th minute when Ssenyonjo’s strike was blocked by Ojiambo.

For their persistent search for a goal, Posta got their reward in the 68th minute when Ponda picked the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled past Emmanuel Lwangu and Kayci before slotting the ball past Humphrey Katasi.

Buoyed by the goal, Posta were on an all-out attack in search of an equaliser but could only get half-chances through Ponda, Wasambo and Lokuwam by the 75th minute.

Leopards wasted a glorious opportunity to restore their two-goal lead when Victor Omune was put through on goal, but with only the keeper to beat, his shot was well saved by Odhiambo.

Posta continued to pile pressure on Ingwe, but the Kayci-marshalled defense stood tall to ensure all three points were secured.

Kariobangi Sharks 1-1 Mathare United

At the Police Sacco Stadium, Kariobangi Sharks battled to a 1-1 draw with Mathare United in the Slum Derby.

The Slum Boys took the lead through former Sharks striker John Mark Makwatta in the 46th minute before Kevin Otiala restored parity in the 78th minute.

The draw pulled Sharks out of the relegation zone to 14th on the log with 19 points, while Mathare remained 11th with 26 points.

Nairobi United 3-0 Bidco United

In the other matches of the day, Nairobi United secured a 3-0 win over Bidco United in their return to domestic football after their CAF Confederation Cup exit.

The defending Mozzart Bet Cup champions found the back of the net through Mustapha Kizza, Kevin Wangaya and Benson Omalla.

Murang'a Seal 2-3 Bandari FC

At the St. Sebastian Park in Murang'a, Bandari FC completed a brilliant comeback to secure a 3-2 victory over Murang'a Seal.