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Inconsistent Nairobi City Stars managed a 3-2 win over AFC Leopards in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match played at Kasarani on Saturday, October 4, 2023.

The loss is a big blow to coach Tomas Trucha and Ingwe, who are badly in need of wins to end the pressure that has piled up since the season began.

Jaffery Owiti had the first meaningful chance for Ingwe, but City Stars’ goalkeeper Elvis Ochoro was equal to the task as he managed to clear the danger in the 10th minute.

The former Premier League champions managed a promising team-build minutes after Owiti’s cleared danger but were unable to find the back of the net. In the final third, Victor Omune was set through on goal by Cliff Nyakeya, but the former ended up sending his effort wide.

Chances, goals

City Stars’ first chance came in the 16th minute, but Andrew Kisilu was unable to turn it into a goal as he sent the ball straight to the goalkeeper’s hands.

Simba wa Nairobi grabbed the lead a minute past the half-hour mark when Vincent Otieno found the back of the net with a pinpoint delivery of a set piece that won at a vantage point for goalscoring.

Ingwe kept fighting hard after conceding the opener and came close to getting an equalizer in the 37th minute. Wycliffe Omondi and Timothy Muganda clearly failed to communicate well, and their confusion almost gave Brian Yakhama a perfect chance to restore parity.

When the second half started, Miheso, Kevin Kimani, and Owiti were withdrawn, and Trucha brought on Victor ‘Aguero’ Otieno, Emmanuel Lwangu, and Ronald Sichenje.

Despite a visible resurgence on the part of AFC Leopards, City Stars scored the second in the 55th minute through Samuel Kapen.

More misery was piled on the struggling giants as they conceded the second in the 61st minute when Vincent Owino struck past Katasi.

Although they were searching for goals to help them salvage even a draw, Ingwe were not lethal enough in front of the goal as they wasted chances, especially Aguero and Yakhama.

AFC Leopards’ goals

However, they were able to get a goal in the 83rd minute when they won a penalty after Musa Oundo was fouled inside the penalty area. Yakhama scored from the spot kick for a 3-1 scoreline.

Aguero scored the second for Ingwe when he found the back of the net in the 90th minute. The academy product, as usual, was a thorn in the City Stars’ flesh and would have had more than one goal had he converted all the chances he had.

This is a big blow to AFC Leopards, who registered the first season’s win in their previous match against Nzoia Sugar before collecting a point against Kariobangi Sharks in the last game that ended in a 0-0 draw.

Nairobi City Stars starting XI: Elvis Ochoro, Rowland Makati, Timothy Muganda, Wycliff Omondi, Brina Mzee, Clifton Omondi, Dennis Wanjala, Samuel Kapen, Robin Asemwa, Vincent Owino, Andrew Kisilu

AFC Leopards starting XI: Humphrey Katasi, Luke Namanda, Vincent Mahiga, Kayci Odhiambo, Randy Bakari, Musa Oundo, Jafari Owiti, Kevin Kimani, Brian Yakhama, Victor Omune, Clifton Miheso.