Relief as AFC Leopards secure maiden season win over Matano's KCB FC

Following a tepid start to the season, AFC Leopards have finally claimed their maiden victory of the campaign, courtesy of a 2-1 win over KCB FC in an FKF Premier League clash staged at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday, 25 October.

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The 1998 Premier League champions opened the season with three consecutive draws against Sofapaka, Posta Rangers and Bandari FC, which left head coach Fred Ambani under fire due to the winless start.

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In the end, Ingwe claimed the victory in style, getting one over their former head coach Robert Matano, who has now suffered back-to-back defeats after losing to Gor Mahia before the league took a break to honour the late Raila Odinga.

AFC Leopards posted a blistering start, netting in the opening minute through Boniface Munyendo before KCB grabbed the equaliser 10 minutes after the second half resumption, but Christopher Koloti was on hand to secure all three points for the hosts.

Desperate to overturn their early struggles, Ingwe wasted no time stamping authority on the contest, opening the scoring just a minute into play.

Former KCB FC winger James Kinyanjui orchestrated a superb attacking move down the flank before setting up Ugandan forward Samuel Sseeyonjo, who in turn teed up Boniface Munyendo.

The former Nzoia Sugar FC man made no mistake, calmly slotting past Elvis Ochieng to give Leopards a dream start.

Fred Ambani's charges nearly doubled their advantage a quarter of an hour later when Kelly Madada unleashed a stinging effort that crashed off the upright, much to the relief of the KCB backline.

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The Bankers, however, found their rhythm midway through the first half.

December Kisaka combined neatly with Richard Omondi, but his volley sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Leopards continued to threaten before the break, with Sseeyonjo once again involved, the Ugandan shrugging off his marker only to drag his effort wide as the sides went into halftime with Ingwe leading 1-0.

Upon resumption, KCB quickly found their footing and drew level ten minutes into the second half through Francis Khairo, who was marking his first appearance of the season under coach Robert Matano.

The equaliser prompted immediate changes from Leopards head coach Fred Ambani, who introduced Christopher Koloti and Ronald Sichenje for Sseeyonjo and Hassan Beja, substitutions that would later prove decisive.

Kinyanjui continued to cause problems for the KCB defence, testing Ochieng with a powerful effort from the edge of the area that the goalkeeper could only parry to safety.

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With 18 minutes left on the clock, Leopards reclaimed their lead through substitute Christopher Koloti, who made an instant impact.

The youthful forward combined brilliantly with Sichenje before guiding the latter’s delivery beyond Ochieng to restore Ingwe’s advantage.

Despite late pressure from KCB, Leopards held firm to record their first victory of the campaign and extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

The result lifted them to six points, just four behind league leaders Posta Rangers and Kakamega Homeboyz.

Kariobangi Sharks 1-2 APS Bomet

At the Kasarani Annex, newcomers APS Bomet staged a remarkable late comeback to stun Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 and earn their first-ever FKF Premier League victory, ending a three-match losing run.

Sharks dominated the early exchanges and took the lead just eight minutes in through Markvivian Kesa, whose precise finish ensured the 2018 Mozzart Bet champions went into the break ahead.

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However, Bomet turned the game on its head in a dramatic final eight minutes.

Substitute Duncan Mogasa levelled matters with a perfectly executed free kick that beat Sebastian Wekesa in the Sharks' goal, before fellow substitute Paul Wasai struck in the 85th minute to seal a historic comeback.

The victory saw Bomet climb out of last place for the first time in over two months, moving up to 17th on the log, while Sharks dropped to 11th with five points.