Leopards Caged to Miss Chance of Toping Table

Kenya Police FC posted their first-ever league victory over AFC Leopards since their promotion in 2021 with a 3-0 victory to frustrate Ingwe’s hopes of ending a 28-year wait for a league crown.

First-half goals from Charles Ouma, Erick Ngava Zakayo and Yves Junior Koutiama were enough to see the the defending champions scoop SportPesa League maximum points that catapulted them to third on the log.

Ingwe’s title charge took a massive hit, and they also lost their first match in nine games, the defeat sees AFC Leopards fail to ascend to the summit of the log and leaves them two points behind arch-rivals Gor Mahia, with the record league champions having played a game less.

That means they will now be hoping Bandari can upset rivals and table-toppers Gor Mahia on Sunday ahead of the Mashemeji Derby on April 26.

Police, moved up to third on the log with 47 points, 10 shy of Gor Mahia and eight below AFC Leopards.

AFC Leopards vs Kenya Police Sportpesa League lineups

• AFC Leopards: James Ssetuba, Fredrick Alushula, Samuel Semo, Randy Bakari, Rami Coulibaly, Mousa Oundo, Kelly Madada, Tyson Otieno, Hassan Beja, Ronald Sichenje.
• Police: Daniel Ogembo, Daniel Sakari, Harnest Malonga, Kevin Ouma, Aboud Omar, Charles Ouma, Nana Asante, Marvin Nabwire, Eric Zakayo, Yves Koutiama, Alvin Mang’eni.

Shabana 1 Homeboyz 0

Shabana FC edged out Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 in a tightly contested FKF Premier League encounter staged at Gusii Stadium, with

Asis Batshi’s first-half strike proved decisive for Shabana in edging out Kakamega Homeboyz 1-0 in a tightly contestedPremier League encounter staged at Gusii Stadium.

The Congolese forward struck at the half-hour mark to hand the Kisii-based side a win and see Shabana climb to 46 points, drawing level with Homeboyz and tightening the race in the upper tier of the standings.

Ulinzi 3 KCB 2

Four times Kenyan Premier League champions Ulinzi Stars left it late to grab a 3-2 win over the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB FC) to ease their relegation fears.

Ulinzi took the lead in the 23rd minute through a free kick by Telena Ochieng before Staphord Odhiambo doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute with a powerful header to give them a 2-0 lead at the break.

The bankers pulled one back in the 50th minute through Rowland Makati before Kelvin Etemesi scored an equaliser in the 63rd minute.

With the match headed for a draw, Paul Okoth came to Ulinzi’s rescue, timing his run perfectly to receive an Andrew Otunda pass and loop his strike past the oncoming goalkeeper to help Ulinzi regain the lead and grab a 3-2 victory that moved them to 14th with 28 points.

Mathare United 3-0 Bidco United

The 2008 Kenyan Premier League champions Mathare United ended their three-match winless run with a 3-0 win over the 2021 FKF Cup third placed finishers Bidco United at the Kasarani Annex in Nairobi.

Kenyas international John Makwatta opened the scores in the 13th minute to give the Slum Boys a lead that they took to the break before Musa Masika doubled the advantage via a deflection in the 52nd minute as Makwatta grabbed his brace in the 68th minute to ensure it ended 3-0.

Mathare remained 13th but increased their points tally to 34, even as Bidco remained 17th with 22 points.

Tusker 0-0 Sofapaka

Former champions Tusker FC were held to a goalless draw by bottom-placed and the 2009 Kenyan Premier League winners Sofapaka at the Wang’uru Stadium.

The Brewers dropped to seventh with 41 points while Sopapaka remained at the bottom with an increased point tally of 17.

Kariobangi Sharks 0 Mara Sugar 1

Mara Sugar FC got a boost in the survival race by deepening Kariobangi Sharks’ woes after securing a 1-0 over the 2019 FKF Cup champions in a league match played at the Kasarani Stadium.

The sugar millers scored the decisive goal through Timothy Ndayala, who brilliantly struck past Collins Omondi in the Sharks goal in the 22nd minute.

With the win, Mara have all but secured their place in next season’s FKFPL, taking their points tally to 37, above the average 36 points usually needed for safety.

Kariobangi Sharks Starting XI: Collins Omondi, Ian Karani, Kevinluke Otiala, Zeblon Kutera Imala Ekhavi, Faiz Opande, Patillah Omoto, Steve Mbulere, Humphrey Aroko, Armstrong Omondi, Razel Omondi

Mara Sugar Starting XI: Joseph Ogenda, Joseph Okwenda, Opande, Robinson Musungu, Jimmy Owili, Harun Thomas, Kelvin Longbert, Daniel Wafula, Ainea Ndete, Alex Imbusia, Timothy Ndayala