Levis Opiyo – the ‘golden man’ in Leopards goalposts

AFC Leopards first choice goalkeeper Levis Opiyo demonstrated just how fantastic he can be on a good day between the sticks with his heroic performances that earned Ingwe a hard-fought1-1 draw against bitter rivals Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji derby on Sunday.

The former Wazito FC shot-stopper displayed his fantastic form just days after he had helped Leopards secure the three points in a hard-fought 2-1 win against KCB by blocking a penalty from the bankers and Gor could have easily collected the bragging rights were it not for his reflexes between the sticks.

Odhiambo Austin, Odhiambo Boniface and also Odhiambo George were all frustrated by the man in Leopards goal.

“Derby as you know always has its own pressure and so we have tried our level best. Gor also did their best and we have been on a good run,” Opiyo said of his performance. “A draw is not bad and it has been a fair game though we should have won this game were it not for the defensive mistakes and lack of concentration which denied us the win.”

His calculations, focus and calmness in goal were factors to his man of the match award that should easily make Wazito rue their decision to let him go.

Opiyo who has been in goal for almost every match since joining the big cats was clearly the busiest of all the players on the pitch to an extent  his coach Patrick Aussems credited him for keeping the team in the game.

“I think that we had the first half in our possession but Levi Opiyo kept us in the game because he made some good saves,” Aussems said, praising Opiyo for his super saves.

Gor Mahia and Leopards are in fifth and 10th position on 47 and 39 points consecutively.