Matano's KCB outsmart AFC Leopards to severely dent Ingwe's title aspirations

Robert 'The Lion' Matano roared loudest after guiding KCB FC to a hard-fought 1-0 win over his former side, AFC Leopards, a result that severely dented Ingwe's hopes of ending their 28-year wait for a league title.

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The Bankers secured victory through David Sakwa, who rose highest to guide the ball into the net five minutes after the hour mark, with the strike proving to be the match-winner.

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The loss leaves AFC Leopards six points adrift of log leaders and arch rivals Gor Mahia with 13 games left till the curtains come falling on the season.

The match kicked off on a high note, with both teams quickly off the blocks and opting for direct attacks through long balls in search of an early goal.

By the third minute, KCB became the first team to settle in and were pinning Leopards in their own half as they attempted to break the deadlock with intent.

The Bankers came close to getting a goal in the fifth minute, but Samuel Feargod’s shot was blocked by Emmanuel Lwangu.

Feargod was also the recipient of KCB’s next chance two minutes later when he missed an enticing cross by Nashon Wekesa with Humphrey Katasi well beaten.

Leopards engineered their first chance in the 10th minute when Ronald Sichenje, on the overlap, unleashed a ferocious shot, drawing a save from Elvis Ochieng in the KCB goal.

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The Bankers were dealt a major blow in the 22nd minute when Dennis Kwenyu, who had been dominating midfield battles, was forced to pull out due to an injury, with Rowland Makati taking his place.

KCB thought they had taken the lead in the 26th minute, but Kevin Etemesi was adjudged to be in an offside position after putting the ball into the back of the net.

From the offside restart, Leopards equally drew closer to a goal through Julius Masaba, whose thunderous shot forced Elvis into an excellent save.

The flurry of chances continued in the 30th minute when Sichenje was set by Tyson Otieno on the left, but his shot went inches wide.

KCB, who were still dominating proceedings, had another chance in the 34th minute when former Gor Mahia players, Humphrey Mieno and Boniface Omondi combined well, the latter getting space on the right, but his ferocious shot missed the target.

The Bankers continued to conjure chances, but Feargod and Etemesi could not find the right final pass to break the deadlock.

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Leopards had the half’s final attempt, but a Samwel Semo near-post corner was well cleared by a Mieno header.

Fred Ambani's men returned to the second half as an improved side and got their first chance through Kayci Odhiambo's free kick, which forced Elvis into a fingertip save with the resultant corner wasted by the Kenyan giants.

Boniface Omondi had KCB’s first chance of the closing half in the 50th minute when he picked a loose ball in midfield, dribbled towards the box before pulling the trigger, but it was straight into the arms of Elvis.

In a bid to convert some of the chances that they were creating, KCB introduced Francis Kahiro in the 54th minute for Feargod, who had wasted numerous chances.

On their part, Leopards brought on James Kinyanjui for Tyson Otieno in an attempt to add some attacking punch.

Leopards had a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock in the 65th minute when Kelly Madada brought in a sumptuous cross which found Ssenyonjo, but his header missed the target and went inches over the bar.

Ingwe were made to rue their missed chances a minute later when Etemesi whipped in a cross inside the box to find David Sakwa, who headed into the back of the net to give KCB a deserved lead and silence the Leopards faithful at Kasarani.

Ambani reacted by making two changes, introducing Christopher Koloti and Vincent Mahiga for Ssenyonjo and Semo.

Ingwe, who had now intensified their attacks, had a shot goalwards in the 72nd minute by Madada, excellently blocked by Harambee Stars defender Mohammed Siraj, even as they continued their search for a goal.

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Leopards found a corner in the 82nd minute, which led to a goalmouth melee after Elvis made a poor clearance with Ingwe players and fans calling for a penalty for an alleged handball, but referee Phillip Brooks did not entertain their cries.

A minute later, Sichenje found the target from a free kick on the right side, but his attempt went straight into the hands of Elvis.

Against the run of play, KCB had a chance in the 85th minute when Etemesi received a ball on the left flank, cut in and pulled the trigger with the ball going inches wide off the right post.

Leopards came closest in the 86th minute when Madada picked a loose ball outside the post, took a shot that beat Elvis but not the woodwork.

Kayci had the match’s last attempt in the 94th minute after he broke from defense but his shot went wide off the right post, with the match ending in a 1-0 victory for the bankers.

With the result, Leopards have lost ground in the title race as they remain second on the log with 40 points, while KCB rose to eighth with 32 points.