Leopards purr to fourth after sinking Sony

AFC Leopards shot to fourth in the SportPesa Premier League standings after recording a first victory since September when they silenced bogey team Sony Sugar 2-1 at the Awendo Green Stadium.

Lamine Diallo notched a first half opener for the visitors but Daniel Onyango hauled the hosts level before Andrew Tololwa’s scored the winning goal from the spot when Maxwell Sikolia handled a quickly-taken throw in inside the box.

Victory for Dutchman Jan Koops’ side left Sony Sugar in 13th as Ingwe who endured a nightmare season last time got into the mix with the early pace-setters led by Bandari after opening their season with a 1-1 draw against Mathare.

After Sony missed a couple of presentable chances to take the lead, Diallo punished them in the 42nd minute when he lashed on to a through-ball from Allan Kateregga to beat Allan Owiny in the Sony goal for the advantage at the break.

Seven minutes after the re-start, Onyango equalised with a smart turn and shot but substitute Kevin Migunde who came on for Diallo, unfurled a long throw into Sony’s mixer only for Sikolia to stop the ball with his arms for the penalty.

Tololwa, notched his second goal of the season by tucking away the spot-kick past Owiny having rescued a point against Mathare from 12-yards last weekend.

Meanwhie, South Sudanese officials will be in charge when Bandari FC attempts to overhaul a 2-0 deficit when they host DR Congo’s St Eloi Lupopo for the second leg of their CAF Confederations Cup preliminary round clash on Saturday in Nairobi.

According to Football Kenya Federation, Ring Nyier Malong will the centre referee with fellow South Sudanese George Primato Olibo the designated first and second assistants.

Kalisto Samson is the reserve referee with Somalia’s Amir Abdi Hassan appointed by CAF as the Match Commissioner.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 4pm at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.