First FKFPL hat-trick for Ssenyonjo as Leopards claw Tusker to stay top

Samuel Ssenyonjo scored his first hat-trick in the FKF Premier League as AFC Leopards wiped aside Tusker 4-0 at Nyayo Stadium, to maintain their lead for yet another week.

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The Ugandan striker, who signed with Ingwe last September, arguably had his best Sunday afternoon at the club, scoring twice in the first half, before wrapping up his treble with an ice-cold penalty in the second period.

The former Express FC forward was first on the score-sheet in the 12th minute, when he scrambled home a pin-point assist from James Kinyanjui to open the scoring.

The 24-year-old was racing again in celebration ten minutes later, when he took advantage of a piece of miscommunication by the Tusker defense, to fire in the second.

The man who promised to score 30 goals at the end of the season, was clearly not done with his job, as he produced a neat back-heel to find Ronald Sichenje for the third, before earning and converting a 72nd minute penalty that capped the rout.

Courtesy/AFC Leopards

The win for Leopards marked the first time Fred Ambani’s side had won by such a margin in over 15 months, dating back to a 4-0 thrashing of Mathare United on 25 August 2024.

In the same breath, the last time Ingwe scored four goals in a game was nearly a year ago; a 4-2 victory over KCB on 22 January 2025.

A second win on the trot took Leopards' advantage over second-placed Gor Mahia to three points, while troubled Tusker dropped to fifth with 24 points.

Match Report

Just minutes to kick-off, AFC Leopards' week-long stay on top of the standings had come to an end, albeit by the slightest of margins.

This came after Gor Mahia had held on to a point against Shabana in Kisii, edging them ahead of their fierce rivals on goal-difference.

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If ever a need for a response was asked, then Ingwe delivered, and in the classiest of ways so far this season.

Having flattered to deceive since his signing in September, Ssenyonjo stood up to be counted on this ocasion, netting with the team's first real attack of the game.

A mazy run from Tyson Otieno was where the magic begun, before the speedy Kinyanjui was sent rolling on the right flank to find Ssenyonjo to slide home the opener.

Tusker, who had started naively, almost had a response when Thomas Omole sent a strike from a tight angle in the 16th minute, only for Humphrey Katasi to push the effort wide.

It did not take long, however, for Leopards to add insult to Charles Okere's injury, when Ssenyonjo was at hand to feed off poor defending from Thomas Teka and goalkeeper Brandon Obiero, sticking home a second ten minutes after his opener.

Okere's frustrations were evident as he made three changes during the break, but the desired impact was not felt, as Ingwe scored a third three minutes afterwards, and in style.

Tyson was once again the orchestrator, threading a fine pass to Sseyonjo, who back-heeled straight for Sichenje to excuisitely find the net with a low hard drive.

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Dishevelled Tusker did mount a challenge of their own, but saw Cliff Oruko put his effort over, while Dennis Oalo smack the crossbar three minutes after the hour-mark.

To cap a delightful day for the men in blue, Ssenyonjo earned himself a chance from the spot when he ran past Tusker skipper Charles Momanyi on the by-line, before attracting the challenge of Chrispin Erambo inside the box.

Lopards captain Kayci Odhiambo, perhaps soaking in the biggest cheer of the afternoon, handed the ball to the Ugandan to complete his hat-trick, which he duly did, sending his kick down the middle.

The big win came days after coach Ambani had announced the team's desire to break a 28-year-old jinx for the title, and it will be hard to beat that down, based on their latest showing.

For Tusker, another gloomy day for Okere.