Oundo header delivers Ingwe vital win over Ulinzi

A dimunitive Musa Oundo rising high to head in a goal inside the 10th minute was a sight to behold for AFC Leopards fans, as they held on and grinded out a big 1-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It was therefore not a surprise to see them celebrate and applaud every moment substitute Victor Otieno ran the clock down near the corner flag, every tick leading Ingwe to their third win of the season, and one that lifted them up to 12th on the log.

With Leopards off to one of their brightest starts this season, the midfielder, on the second of consecutive corners, was at the right spot at the right time to nod a whipped delivery from Clifton Miheso past Michael Wanyika, and had to lead his teammates with arguably a man-of-the-match performance to shut out the visitors, who fell to their 10th defeat of the season.

"For us it was the perfect end to the first leg, and of course one to start the year and set the mood for what is to come," a delighted Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha said at fulltime.

Game Summary

With only two points separating both sides, the opening minutes of the first period wouldn't have shown the margin to be anything that close, as the side starting in 15th place at kickoff- AFC Leopards - began on the front foot, causing so much trouble to Ulinzi keeper Michael Wanyika.

Within the first five minutes, Hassan Beja had seen his right footed shot just at the edge of the box go wide, while right back Aziz Okaka had his cross cut out. Just.

A rash foul by Alex Masinde invited the hosts minutes later, leading to a Clifton Miheso attempt that came off the crossbar but cleared out for a corner.

It was from his boot however that the opening goal came, as after seeing his first corner deflected wide, whipped in a wonderful delivery that found the diminutive Oundo - inside the box - to head home for what was a deserved lead.

The Ingwe onslaught was a behold to see for the home fans present, and that persisted moments after when Masinde gave away the ball, and only left to thank the heavens as Miheso placed his one on one chance wide.

Though with much possession, Ulinzi's chances came from long balls, twice by front man Mark Bikokwa, whose chances were deflected (by Kayci Odhiambo) and missed all together - albeit from a push that was not deemed a foul - altogether.

It would take till the last minute of first half added time for Leopards keeper Levis Opiyo to get tested, as he tipped over a ferocious shot from Ben Stanley.

What if the visitors found a way to keep their late momentum going would be the question lingering in coach Kimani's head, as his side looked nothing close in the second half.

Despite bringing on Enosh Ochieng and Shannel Makwatta, the fluidity and threat looked a far cry, as Leopards, riding on with Emmanuel Lwangu - who came on shortly after 50 minutes to replace injured Randi Bakari - created the better chances.

Beja was behind both of them, as he shot straight at Ulinzi's defense and also saw his shot, that came off some nice trickery, fall agonisingly wide.

Ulinzi had Makwatta and Bikokwa shooting from range, but nothing that seemed to trouble Opiyo.

It could be that the turn of a new year has brought great tidings for Ingwe!