AFC Leopards captain Isaac Kipyegon says he has had sleepless nights since Sunday’s FKF Cup final defeat to Gor Mahia at the Nyayo National Stadium.The defender who only recently assumed the captaincy of Kenya’s second most decorated club after Robinson Kamura was unceremoniously demoted, hoped to gud the blue and whites to a memorable derby triumph.However, the bitter loss left a bitter taste in his mouth.Ingwe fell to their arch-rival through post-match penalties after the entertaining final ended in a barren draw in regulation time and had to be settled from 12 yards out. Gor went on to win 4-1. Kipyegon and Tsuma Said were denied by Gor Mahia keeper Gad Mathews who is slowly turning out to be a penalty specialist, K’Ogalo on the other hand converted all their four penalty kicks.PENALTIES Gor Mahia ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️AFC Leopards ❌❌⚽️Gor Mahia win #Betsafe #FKFCupFinals #OursForever #INGWE— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) July 4, 2021 Leopards dominated the game and created better chances than Gor Mahia. Wastefulness and good defending from Gor Mahia however, ensured that the game ended barren and the dreaded penalties had to settle the tie.Both teams had qualified for the final through post-match penalties. Leopards defeated Equity FC while Gor saw off Bidco United and Kipyegon, who says he’s had a tough time since Sunday feels had he converted the first kick like he did against Equity, the outcome of the shoot-out would have been different.“I have had sleepless nights reflecting a lot, I feel as the leader and as the person who took the first spot-kick I believe had I converted it as I did against Equity FC, the subsequent takers would have converted. But I leave everything to God, he knows why it had to happen the way it did,” he told K24.I haven’t been sleeping for 3 days! AFC Leopards captain Isaac Kipyegon asks Ingwee fans to forgive him after he missed the 1st AFC Leopards’ penalty that contributed to Gor Mahia winning the FKF shield 4-1 in post-match penalties. pic.twitter.com/4btR09lnkq— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 6, 2021 Kipyegon further admitted that players dread penalty shoot-outs. He went on to compare his side’s misfortune to Chelsea’s in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow.“Players do not love penalties because in penalties anything can happen. If you remember the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea, John Terry needed to score for his team to lift the title but unfortunately, he missed and so such things happen,” he added.Ingwe will now shift focus to league action. They will play Bandari on Friday at the Thika Sub-County Stadium.
