Otieno heroics send Leopards to Super Cup final

Goalkeeper Ian Otieno made a heroic return to AFC Leopards first team where he saved two spot kicks against Tanzania’s Yanga SC as the Kenyan giants became the first to advance to the Super Cup finals on Thursday.

A closely contested tie at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam ended in a goalless draw in regulation time forcing the stalemate to be broken via post-match penalty shootouts and it is Otieno that swung the balance in favour of the Leopards.

Otieno, who last featured for Ingwe in their humiliating 3-0 mauling by their eternal rivals Gor Mahia in their Kenyan Premier League (KPL) first leg tie in Nairobi last month, denied Said Musa and Said Juma before Allan Kateregga and Duncan Otieno successfully converted theirs.

Leopard’s captain Bernard Mangoli had converted the first penalty of the shootout, before youthful Marcelus Ingotsi saw his punched out by Deogratius Munishi.

Otieno then sealed a final berth with his well taken penalty, setting an all Kenyan final of the inaugural tournament as all Tanzania and Zanzibar sides are eliminated.

Ingwe will clash with either Gor or Nakuru AllStars , the winners of the last semi final.

AFC Starting XI:

Ian Otieno,  Dennis Sikhai, Marcus Abwao, John Mawira, Salim Abdallah – Duncan Otieno, Bernard Mangoli, Yakubu Rama, Oburu Vincent , Allan Katerega, Gilbert Fiamenyo.

Subs: Edwin Mukolwe, Mike Kibwage,  Haroun Nyakha, Tololwa, Ndungu, Isuza, paul Kiongera, marcellus Ingotsi, Andika  Gabriel

Yanga Starting XI:

Deogratius Munishi, Juma Abdul,  Mohamedi Ally, Andrew Chikupe  Nadir Haroub Pato Ngonyani  Yusufu Mhilu Maka Edward  Obrey Chirwa  Juma Mahadhi  Emanuel Martin

Subs Mbaraka Othman  Kichiba Bakari  Samuel Greyson Saidi Mussa Waziri  Festo Greyson  Juma Makapu