AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems has directed his frustration to centre referee Elijah Memusi following their 1-0 loss to Kariobangi Sharks at the Thika Stadium.The Belgian tactician has faulted the whistler for gifting Sharks what he termed as dubious penalty slotted in by Eric Kapaito to settle the contest.”To be honest this game alongside that of Wazito were part of our preparations for our final against Gor. Today we lost because of a penalty which was not penalty. It happens in football as referees as error is to human. The most important thing is we have avoided injuries ahead of the big game,” he said.While Aussems was bitter with the loss, his Sharks colleague William Muluya was elated with the win which saw him end his five-match losing streak.”It was a good game, although I feel they preserved energy for the Cup final. It had been ages since we won a match and the three points are welcome to us. We have to work hard to maintain a winning culture going forward,” he noted.🔘55’| Goal @k_sharksfc Mainge fouls Kapaito in the area …It’s a PenaltyKapaito steps up and Converts from the spotAFC 0-1 Sharks#AFCvsSharks#BKPL pic.twitter.com/4b9u0SCMgP— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 30, 2021 Leopards had the best chance of the first half in the 44th minute after Hansel Ochieng drilled past Julius Masaba in the box but his curled effort was not strong enough to beat debutant Brian Olang’o.Prior to the wasted chance, the two teams rattled each other in search for the opener with Sharks dictating play thanks to their trademark style of play.Leopards hitman Elvis Rupia who was starved of ammunition from the midfielders had a first half to forget as he unsuccessfully tried to bully his way past the lanky defenders only to be rested at half time for the youthful Brian Wanyama.After a rather frustrating first half Aussems withdrew Eugene Mukangula, Rupia and Hansel Ochieng for Said Tsuma, Wanyama and Austin Odhiambo as he sought to breath life in his forward line.🏅| Shaphan Oyugi of @k_sharksfc is your Man of the Match#AFCvsSharks#BKPL pic.twitter.com/suAT3CEJET— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 30, 2021 The three changes seemingly gave Leopards the much needed punch in the final third with Wanyama nearly announcing his arrival in the league in the 53rd minute with a well lobbed ball which swerved off the target with Olang’o well beaten.Ingwe’s search for the opener suffered a big blow in the 55th minute when Clyde Senaji scythed Kapaito down in the area compelling centre referee Elijah Memusi to point to the spot.Kapaito who was largely quiet in the first half stepped up in the subsequent minute to net his sixteenth goal of the season after sending the ball past a fully stretching Benjamin Ochan.🔘65’| Sub @AFCLeopards Marvin and Mwendwa come in for Shichenje and ThiongoAFC 0-0 Sharks#AFCvsSharks#BKPL pic.twitter.com/exDE55PCQu— Betking Kenya Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) June 30, 2021 James Mazembe would have doubled the lead for Sharks in the 61st minute after weaving his way in the box but his final shot was tipped away to safety by Ochan.Aussems exhausted his substitutions in the 64th minute after introducing the pair of Marvin Nabwire and Harrison Mwendwa for Collins Shichenje and Peter Thiong’o respectively.Muluya rang his first change in the 71st minute bringing in his long serving lieutenant Eric Juma for the weary Peter Lwasa.Juma’s experience was there for all to see as he helped organize the defence and guided his teammates to guard the slim advantage until the final whistle.
