Leopards rip Police apart
After being held to a one-all draw by newly-promoted Kenya Police in the first leg of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League before it took a break, AFC Leopards redeemed themselves with a big 3-0 in the reverse fixture in Kasarani yesterday.
This was the worst defeat by Police since making their debut in the top flight league and coach Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo’s first slump since joining the law enforcers from multiple champions Gor Mahia two weeks ago.
Three unanswered goals-one of them a beauty which came off the boot of John Makwatta - did the trick for Ingwe against a Police team that stunned Gor Mahia 2-0 in Kisumu on March 13.
Vincent Omune thrust Leopards into the lead in the 14th minute with a half volley which Police defenders were hesitant to clear off their lines.
In the 41st minute, Eugene Mukangula, who has taken over the captaincy from Marvin Nabwire, stretched the lead after penetrating a crowded Police defence.
Then came the third goal, Josephat Lopaga leaving his markers for dead on the right flank before teeing up Makwatta who made no mistake with a bicycle kick at close range.
Leopards coach Patrick Aussiems said he was happy in the manner his players carried themselves against a very strong Police side.
“It was a tactical game and there were times when our opponents tried to prod us but I told my players to keep believing in themselves. I still hold them in high esteem as they have a lot of young and intelligent players,” offered Aussiems.
“We kept the ball well and gave a good account of ourselves in half-spaces while pulling their defence out and it finally went into the back foot. I think that was what won us the match,” added Aussiems.
In Thika, relegation-threatened Mathare United threw away a first-half lead to fall 2-1 to a resurgent Posta Rangers.
Austin Ochieng’ had given Mathare the lead in the 36th minute but two quickfire goals by Timothy Otieno in the 54th and 58th minutes settled the match as a contest for the mailmen.
Meanwhile, at Kasarani, Kariobangi Sharks prevailed 2-1 over hard fighting Bidco United, Eric Mata scoring the first goal for the hosts in the 13th minute. In Ruaraka, Sofapaka under the tutelage of new trainer David Ouma settled for a barren draw with FC Talanta.
The match was of two halves though Sofapaka should blame themselves for failure to register maximum points after wasting numerous scoring chances, especially in the dying minutes.
However, Ouma said the was unfazed with the result and noted that there are still ten matches for his team to steady the ship.
“We created chances but it was unfortunate that we could not bury any of them. This is football but I believe there is still room for improvement,” said Ouma who replaced Ken Odhiambo in Batoto Ba Mungu’s dug-out.
faced criticism over its labour rights -- revenues have boomed since the last World Cup in Russia.
The finances were so good that FIFA spent more than one billion dollars on pandemic recovery measures in football and still increased its cash and asset reserves by 21 percent to $5.5 billion.
“The financial position of the organisation remains healthy and robust,” the global body’s accounts said modestly.
Simon Chadwick, a sports economy professor at the EM Lyon Business School in France, said it had always been likely that the pandemic would make “the rich in sport get richer and the poor would get poorer”.
“Organisations such as FIFA have the resources and organisational resilience to withstand the worst effects of Covid,” he added.
