Evis Rupia scored a stoppage time penalty as AFC Leopards came from a goal down to beat Wazito FC 2-1 in an FKF Premier League match staged at the Utalii Grounds on Saturday afternoon.Michael Owino opened the scoring for Wazito in the 35th minute after he was set up by Johnstone Omurwa. Shaka Bienvenue then drew Leopards level in the 58th minute from an Elvis Rupia cross. Rupia would then hit the winner from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.Heading into the game, Wazito were on a mini-resurgence having beaten Kariobangi Sharks and ended Gor’s winning streak with a midweek barren draw at Thika. Leopards on the other hand, had not won in three games. They lost to Bidco and Mathare United and settled for a two-all draw against Sofapaka. They badly needed to get points to revive their title ambitions by keeping pace with the leading lot.Wazito maintained the same squad that started against Gor Mahia while AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems made some bold decisions in his starting lineup. Top scorer Elvis Rupia, Clyde Senaji, and Marvin Nabwire were all benched while Collins Shivachi and Robert Mudenyu were handed rare starts at the heart of defense.Leopards started the game on a high and won three corner kicks inside the first three minutes of the game. Wazito defenders however dealt with the set-pieces well to avoid going behind in the early stages of the game.Harrison Mwendwa, Shaka Bienvenue and Austin Odhiambo continued to trouble Wazito defenders and in the 12th minute they had a great opportunity to go ahead. Odhiambo danced into the area before rattling the crossbar with Wazito keeper Fredrick Odhiambo well beaten.Moments later Odhiambo was was at it again. He was put through through on goal but somehow he opted for cut-back instead of slotting home on his own and Wazito defenders did well to clear the danger. Next was Caleb Olilo whose feeble shot in the 25th minute was narrowly off target.Chances were coming fast and furious for Leopards but somehow they had no idea what to do with them. Harrison Mwendwa fluffed another one in the 29th minute, shooting over the bar from inside the penalty area. An unmarked Shaka Bienvenue headed over from close range from an Odhiambo free-kick delivery in the 30th minute.Wazito survived Ingwe onslaught and started to show more ambition after the half-hour mark. Musa Masika saw his effort go narrowly wide in the 32nd minute before Kevin Kimani shot directly at Benjamin Ochan moments later.Leopards got punished for their wastefulness in the 35th minute when Wazito took the lead through Michael Owino. Benjamin Ochan spilled what looked like a power-less free-kick from Kevin Kimani and Johnstone Omurwa squared the ball to the Wazito number 9 who fired home. Moments later Fidel Origa’s goal-line clearance denied Leopards a leveler.Ingwe made two changes before the restart, Clyde Senaji and Elvis Rupia were brought on for Austin Odhiambo and Isaac Kipyegon as coach Aussems opted to go for twin striking.Rupia’s introduction proved positive as he set up Bienvenue for the leveler in the 58th minute. The striker raced down the left before crossing the ball into the area, Wazito keeper Fredrick Odhiambo had a touch of the ball but it wasn’t too strong and the Burundian fired home on the rebound.Leopards continued to raid after the leveler in search of more goals. Rupia had a chance in the 60th minute but he shot directly at the keeper.Leopards completed the come back in the 90th minute when Elvis Rupia scored from the penalty spot. Maurice Ojwang fouled Hansel Ochieng in the area and the Leopards skipper stepped forward to win it for Ingwe.Wazito starting XI: Fredrick Odhiambo, Rooney Onyango, Joseph Odhiambo, Johnstone Omurwa, Maurice Ojwang, Fidel Origa, Amos Asembeka, Elli Asieche, Musa Masika, Kevin Kimani, Michael OwinoSubs: Levis Opiyo, Roland Ashimoto, Dennis Ng’ang’a, Dennis Sikhayi, Whyvonne Isuza, Boniface Omondi, Vincent Oburu, Erick Otieno, Brian MusaAFC Leopards starting XI: Benjamin Ochan, Collins Shivachi, Isaac Kipyegon, Robert Mudenyu, Lewis Bandi, Tsuma Said, Eugene Mukangula, Austin Odhiambo, Bienvenue Shaka, Harrison Mwendwa, Caleb OliloSubs: John Oyemba, Washington Munene, Clyde Senaji, Peter Thiong’o, Brian Wanyama, Elvis Rupia, Boniface Mukhekhe, Hansel Ochieng, Marvin Nabwire
