Kitambi in perfect start to life at Leopards dug-out

Tanzanian Dennis Kitambi guided AFC Leopards to a 2-0 victory over hosts Sony Sugar at the Awendo Green Stadium on Sunday, marking a perfect start at the helm after suspension of head coach Robert Matano.

Ezekiel Odera scored one while a last minute own goal sealed the only second defeat to the hosts in 12 matches of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) in their backyard.

Coming from a midweek defeat to Sofapaka in Narok, Kitambi had to play defensively in the last 25 minutes before Isaac Oduro’s deflected shot sealed the sweet triumph for the 12-time champions over stubborn millers.

Brian Marita’s 30-yard shot almost found the back of the net, finding Sony’s goalkeeper Kevin Omondi offguard five minutes into the match, dominated by the hosts.

Sony had started with a free-flowing show in the opening four minutes, camping in the Leopards half before captain Duncan Otieno initiated a counter-attack move that Marita almost finished perfectly.

An immediate response by Clinton Omollo at the opposite end forced Jairus Adira to parry the ball out, Benjamin Mosha missing narrowly from the resultant corner.

Forner Bandari FC forward George Abege, now at Sony, saw his deflected shot ricochetting inches out of the target with Adira beaten, before a quick Yusuf Maingi cleared.

Oduro raced down the left channel to the extreme corner and rounded Pamba Werunga to set up Jaffary Owiti in the six-yard box, only to shoot wide.

Then came Odera’s goal in the 16th, after a series of well-traded passes involving Marita and Otieno, the former’s low drive beating keeper Omondi to the left corner.

In the 35th, Isuza wasted an open chance after a sumptuous cross by Oduro found Owiti in the box, who stopped before releasing the unmarked former Mathare United man only to blast it over the crossbar.

Salim Abdalla had to stretch fully to block Mosha’s grass cutter near the left post with Adira beaten to the ground, ensuring a 1-0 lead for Leopards going to the break.

Owiti had his two close attempts thwarted in succession within three minutes upon resumption, custodian Omondi and Joseph Omweri rescuing Sony respectively as Kitambi’s men sought to stretch their lead.

Despite Leopards commanding proceedings in what was almost turning into a one-sided affair in the early stages of second half, Werunga almost equalised with a powerful header from a free kick at the hour mark.

He rose above Abdalla and Mike Kibwage to connect Omollo’s kick, but the ball flew just over the crossbar with Adira completely off.

Kitambi then rested skipper Otieno for Victor Majid, to tighten his midfield as the hosts brought in Derrick Otanga and Yema Mwana.

No more breakthrough appeared to be coming for either of the sides, but Sony’s defense in the death earned Leopards their second goal and their second win in the campaign.