Nairobi City Stars 2-1 AFC Leopards: Ingwe woes in league continue

AFC Leopards' woes in the FKF Premier League took continued as they fell 2-1 to Nairobi City Stars on Tuesday.

Goals from Ezekiel Odera and Nicholas Kipkirui were enough to down the visitors, who scored their goal through Washington Munene.

Ingwe came into the match hoping to get a win to replace the three points deducted by the League and Competitions Committee owing to their failure to turn up for last weekend's Mashemeji Derby against rivals Gor Mahia.

Having won the reverse clash by a solitary goal, the 13-time champions came into the match as favourites.

However, the hosts had other ideas, and it showed from the way they started the game - they tried to attack Ingwe with every opportunity that came their way.

But the first chance of the game came in the 22nd minute when Ingwe won a free-kick just outside the danger zone.

The returning Marvin Nabwire was fouled, Elvis Rupia stepped up but his free-kick was deflected out for an unfruitful corner. 

Stars broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. A good cross in the danger zone fell to former Leopards striker Odera who had no problem beating Benjamin Ochan in goal.

Two minutes later, the visitors came close but Nabwire's effort hit the woodwork and the ball bounced out to safety.

Despite increased attacks, it was the former champions who went to the half-time break a goal down. 

Leopards increased their tempo after the break and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute. Stars conceded a free-kick and Munene stepped up, expertly beat the wall and watched as the ball sailed into the back of the net.

But five minutes later, Ingwe were trailing again, this time around it was former Gor Mahia winger Kipkirui who made a good run and wrong-footed Ochan.

The goal set up a tense finale but Stars held on to avenge the first-round loss.

Nairobi City Stars XI: Steve Njunge, Bolton Omwenga, Kennedy Onyango, Wycliffe Otieno, Kevin Okumu, Elvis Noor, Anthony Kimani, Timothy Ouma, Nicholas Kipkirui, Davis Agesa, Ezekiel Odera 

Subs: Jacob Osano, Calvins Opollo, Edwin Buliba, Herit Atariza, Sven Yidah, Charles Otieno, Erick Ombija, John Kamau, Vincent Otieno.  

AFC Leopards XI: Benjamin Ochan, Collins Shivachi, Washington Munene, Mudenyu Robert, Isaac Kipyegon, Said Tsuma, Harrison Mwendwa, Marvin Omondi, Elvis Rupia, Brian Wanyama, Peter Thiong'o 

Subs: John Oyemba, Yusuf Mainge, Dan Sunguti, Austin Odhiambo, Hansel Ochieng, Caleb Olilo, Shaka Bienvenue, Omar Somoebwana, Bonface Mukhekhe