Kariobangi Sharks rub the spots off limping Leopards

Kariobangi Sharks clawed a clueless AFC Leopards 2-0 in a Kenyan Premier League match at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County on Saturday, July 1, 2017.

The cats who failed to click in the entire 90 minutes were a big let down in the first 45 minutes that they never came to the party, making no serious inroads in their opponents rearguard.

The William Mluhya coached Kariobangi Sharks grabbed the opener in the 50th minute when Ibrima Sanne entered the porous rear guard and unleashed a feeble shot that beat Ian Otieno in goal.

Shaken by this goal, AFC Leopards stand-in coach Tom Juma made three changes introducing new signings Ray Omondi, Hezron Kizito and Mudde Musa in place of Samuel Ndung’u, Whyvonne Isuza and off colour field captain Duncan Otieno.

On the opposite side coach Mluhya brought in Okelia Ochieng’ and Rodgers Omondi  for Duke Abuya and Ibrima Sanne.

AFC Leopards nearly equalized in the 60th minute when Vincent Oburu soared high inside the box but missed the target with his header.

Sharks should have extended their slim lead moments later when Tayo Mathews raced deep into Leopards defence and laid on the path of the racing striker Eli Asieche who in turn fired a rocket which was blocked by goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

However in the 82nd minute Sharks made sure they skinned the cats alive and bagged maximum points when Mathew Tayo pumped in a 30 meters free kick near the touchline to silence the noisy Leopards fans.

Coach Tom Juma conceded defeat and admitted his charges were not in good form.

“Kariobangi Sharks were a strong side and I’m disappointed by the defeat. We must work hard because winning Gotv and losing the league matches is not good for us’ said coach Juma.

An elated coach William Mluhya hailed his boys for turning the game in the second half.

“It was a spirited second half effort which paid dividends” said coach Mluhya.