AFC Leopards coach defends Levis Opiyo’s howler against Gor Mahia

AFC Leopards head coach Tomas Trucha has defended his goalkeeper, Lewis Opiyo, after the team's narrow 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby, played at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

The game ended with Gor Mahia clinching all three points, despite having their goalkeeper, Kevin Omondi, sent off for a foul on Victor Omune.

AFC Leopards concede

The lone goal that sealed the match for Gor Mahia came from a critical mistake by Opiyo, a former Gor Mahia player.

The error occurred as Opiyo received a back pass, but under pressure from pressing Gor Mahia players, he was dispossessed by Austine Odhiambo, who then slotted the ball into the net.

Coach Trucha acknowledged that Opiyo's mistake was crucial, but he stressed that it wasn't the primary reason for their defeat.

He noted that the team had the upper hand after Gor Mahia went down to 10 men, and that they should have capitalized on this advantage by scoring more goals.

"He (Opiyo) knows it was not a good decision, but at the same time, it is not the reason we lost the game. The reason is that against 10 players, we should have scored more goals, not zero," the coach said after the match.

Gor Mahia's narrow victory adds momentum to their defence of the Premier League title, as they move closer to clinching the championship.

The game saw Gor Mahia nearly take the lead in the seventh minute, but Ronney Onyango failed to beat Ingwe's goalkeeper, Opiyo, at close range.

Another opportunity for Gor Mahia came when Onyango's pass found Bryson Wangai on the left flank. Wangai then laid the ball off to Austin Odhiambo, who missed the net despite being in a favorable position to score in the 17th minute.

After moments of sustained pressure, Gor Mahia eventually took the lead in the 29th minute, thanks to a goal by Odhiambo, who was key in breaking down the AFC Leopards' defense. The pressure was further intensified by Odhiambo, a former player at the den, and Benson Omala, who is feeling the heat after Tito Okello from Police caught up with him in the top scorers' chart.

Gor quell AFC Leopards pressure

To maintain their advantage, Gor Mahia brought on Caleb Omondi, who, despite the mounting pressure, managed to keep a clean sheet, helping his team secure the narrow victory.

Gor Mahia now enjoy a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and are poised to claim a historic 21st Premier League title.