FKF Shield Cup: AFC Leopards sweat past hard-fighting Equity FC to earn final slot

AFC Leopards sweated past a resilient Equity FC to book the final slot in the FKF Shield Cup after a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win at the Utalii Ground on Sunday.

Isaac Kipyegon, Said Tsuma, Washington Munene, Elvis Rupia, Clyde Senaji, and Hansel Ochieng scored for Ingwe but Austin Odhiambo missed. Derrick Odhiambo, Evans Ochieng, Derrick Ayisi, Humphrey Otieno, and Timothy Ngugi scored for the Division One side, while Levan Ochieng and Josephat Waititu failed to convert their penalty kicks.

Kipyegon almost gave AFC Leopards an opening goal from a set-piece, but his effort flew just wide of the right-hand box. Equity conceded the free-kick and were lucky not to go down against a confident Leopards side in the 17th minute.

The hosts almost claimed a goal in the 35th minute when they launched a counter-attack along the right wing, but Sunday Katumba was flagged offside just when he received a final cross and was ready to strike from close range.

Another chance for the Premier League side came in the 40th minute after another free-kick from a promising position, but Kipyegon's first effort was blocked before Odhiambo collected the rebound but sent his effort over the bar. With 54% ball possession, AFC Leopards registered eight shots on target against Equity's five with 46% possession before the half-time break.

Ayisi came on for Bryon Wangai in the 63rd minute when head coach John Baraza made his first change of the game. Patrick Aussems made his first change for AFC Leopards in the 71st minute as he brought on defensive midfielder Tsuma for his former Thika United teammate, Eugene Mukangula.

Senaji failed for the second time in the game to find the back of the net when he connected with a corner delivery in the 74th minute. In the first instance, his effort went over the bar in the first half when he rose to head Odhiambo's corner delivery.

Katumba almost scored for Equity in the 76th minute when he took advantage of an error by Jeff Oyemba and attempted to find the bottom corner with a feeble shot, but Senaji was able to make a goalline clearance to save Ingwe from going down.

Equity FC XI: Timothy Ngugi, Oscar Lusomo, Levian Ochieng, Bryson Juma, Nicholas Odhiambo, David Okello, Evans Ochieng, Sunday Katumba, Josephat Waititu, Bryson Wangai.

Subs: Ezra Chege, Humphrey Otieno, Jesse Kamau, Alvin Wafula, Daniel Omollo, Derrick Ayisi, Stephen Ologi.

AFC Leopards XI: John Oyemba, Lewis Bandi, Washington Munene, Clyde Senaji, Isaac Kipyegon, Eugene Mukangula, Caleb Olilo, Marvin Nabwire, Elvis Rupia, Bienvenue Shaka, Austin Odhiambo.

Subs: Benjamin Ochan, Collins Shivachi, Robinson Kamura, Said Tsuma, Collins Shichenje, Hansel Ochieng, Peter Thiong'o.