Rupia on target as Leopards end Homeboyz away jinx

AFC Leopards finally ended their away jinx at Kakamega Homeboyz with a 2-1 victory to move to within seven points off the top of the FKF Premier League standings on Sunday.

Leopards had not beaten Homeboyz at the Bukhngu Stadium since 2013 but that record was quickly left in jeopardy after Clyde Senaji and Elvis Rupia put the visitors 2-0 up inside the opening half hour.

Allan Wanga halved the deficit for his side a few minutes after the break but Leopards saw out their victory comfortably in the end to climb into fourth on the standings, level on 25 points with Bandari FC who continued their revival under new coach Andre Casa Mbungo with a 2-0 win at Ulinzi Stars.

Leopards however have two games in hand and can narrow the gap on the league leaders Tusker FC who suffered a shock 2-1 setback against Bidco United on Saturday for their first defeat in 14 matches.

The result at Bukhungu marked new coach Patrick Aussems’ second league win in three matches in charge.

Leopards made a fast start and stuck the ball inside the back of the net in the ninth minute when Senaji latched on a loose ball outside 18-yard area before driving in and guiding it into the goalkeeper’s far right.

Aussem was forced to make his first change after Esilaba Tedias had a knock and was replaced by captain Robinson Kamura who had started on the bench for the second match in a row in the wake of match-fixing allegations against him.

Homeboyz fell two behind in the 27th minute after some good work from Marvin Nabwire to dribble through the defence and pick out Rupia who made no mistake for his 11th league goal of the season.

The visitors led 2-0 into the break but saw their advantage halved eight minutes into the second half when Wanga turned home David Okoth’s pass.

In Kericho, goalkeeper James Saruni put in a superb shift but his solo display was not enough to prevent Ulinzi from going 2-0 down to Bandari as Benjamin Mosha and Darius Msagha finally got a way past the shot stopper.

Saruni enjoyed an outstanding opening half highlighted by a superb double save but he was finally beaten in spectacular circumstances in the 64th minute. The keeper showed superb reflexes again to deny Keegan Ndemi and Danson Namasakha but Mosha tucked home from the third attempt.

Bandari secured the points in the last minute after Wadri robbed Bonaventure Muchika of the ball and fed Abdalla Hassan whose shot was punched back into play. It fell for Danson Chetambe who slammed his effort against the upright and the rebound was picked by Hassan Abdalla who was composed enough to lay it for Msagha for an easy finish.