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Former AFC Leopards Secretary General, Mzee Steve Ogalle, has lauded the club for ending the 12-year jinx against their arch-rivals, Gor Mahia in the Kenya Premier League they emerged 2-1 victors at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.

AFC Leopards last victory against Gor was in October, 2011 when they registered a 3-0 victory. Since then they have failed to find winning streak with their best performance being draws.

In a telephone interview from his Agenga Nanguba village in Samia Sub-County moments after the emphatic win, Mzee Ogalle who held office between 1970 and 1975, congratulated his former club after taking so long to achieve the feat.

“ The secret of our win on Sunday was attributed to good striking, midfield and team discipline. These attributes made us carry the day,” Ogalle said.

He urged the club under the leadership of Dr Dan Shikanda to retain the current coach and no thought the club will in the near future conquer the continent to surpass Gor Mahia which won the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1987 after beating Esperance of Tunisia on goal difference  in the two-leg final.

“ For the last 12 years Gor has always beaten AFC Leopards. This is wrong; from now onwards it’s winning and winning. We must beat Gor and the culture of being weeping boys must come to an end,” he said.

Ogalle did not hide his excitement: “I have told my family to slaughter a chicken to celebrate this historic victory. We had remained minnows for long and that trend must come to an end.

AFC Leopards best performance againt K’ogalo were draws. They drew 0-0 in 2012,_2-2 in 2013 and 2014, 1-1 in 2015 and 2017, 0-0 in 2021 and 1-1 in 2022.

The 96th Mashemeji Derby between the two foes jolted Gor’s bid for the title. They are now second with 63 points from 30 matches. Tusker top the log with 64 points from similar number of matches. Nzoia Sugar are third with 60 points, Police and KCB take fourth and fifth positions with 56 and 53 points respectively while AFC Leopards are in eigth position with 45 points. The crucial FKF Premier League match played in front of club patron Raila Odinga and President William Ruto attracted thousands of fans who went home after 90 minute of pure entertainment from players of both teams.