AFC Leopards end KCB’s unbeaten run in BetKing Premier League
AFC Leopards blazed a trail yesterday when they ended the undefeated streak of KCB in the Betking Premier League by edging them 2-1 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The table-topping KCB, who had been waltzing into each match without losing, felt the full force of on-song Leopards striker Elvis Rupia who netted a brace to pep up the big cats who were going into the match smarting from a 1-0 defeat by Wazito.
A bullish Leopards technical director Tom Juma said he had made no secret of his team’s desire to end the flawless run by KCB prior to yesterday’s match.
“I salute my team for a job well done and had predicted a win for us. This is fantastic, but I must say the worst we can do is to rest on our laurels since the league is still at its infancy stage.
We need to keep on working harder to get more positive results,” said Juma.
KCB seemed to have flattered to deceive in the match when they took the lead in the 26th minute through Samuel Mwangi.
But Leopards, whose win catapulted them from the seventh to the fifth position in the standings, had other ideas as Rupia struck twice in the 30th and 58th minutes to put the game to bed.
Elsewhere, at Mumias Complex, Posta Rangers edged out Vihiga United 1-0 in a match that saw both sets of teams wind up the last few minutes playing ten men following red cards. After a goalless first half, Rangers seized the initiative to score the winning goal through William Odero in the 70th minute.
At Utalii grounds, Wazito called it late to beat newcomers Bidco United 2-1.
Bidco stunned Wazito when they took the lead through Eric Gichimu in the 33rd minute before ex-AFC Leopards star Dennis Sikhayi pulled Wazito level in the 47th minute.
Then against the run of play, Vincent Oburu cashed in on a mistake by Bidco defence to notch in Wazito’s second goal.
Meanwhile, two of the league’s late-comers Mathare United and Zoo Kericho square it out in an exciting fixture in Kasarani today.
Apparently, Mathare will be the ones under pressure to pull off a decent result given that they are not only trailing in the 18-team log but have also yet to register a win in the two matches they have played thus far in the season.
Last week, Mathare fell 3-1 to Gor Mahia and it’s the result which will make Salim Ali’s charges rather vengeful against a Zoo side which boasts of only two draws in two outings which translates to two points.
“Confronting a strong team like Zoo which has energetic players is tricky but we want to do our best and hopefully pick maximum points after correcting the frailties seen against Gor. We do not expect an easy match but a win is possible,’’ said Salim.
Elsewhere at Moi Stadium in Kisumu, defending champions Gor Mahia will be buoyed by their success over Mathare United when they take battle to Western Stima.
Having got off to a winning start with K’Ogalo, the team’s new coach Carlos Vaz Pinto, will be hoping that it’s the start of good things with the champions who are going through acute financial challenges.
