Emmanuel Mogaka marked his return from a lengthy injury layoff with the match winning goal when Bidco United edged AFC Leopards 1-0 at the Thika Stadium on Saturday.Mogaka suffered a knee injury in January during their 2-1 loss in the hands of Wazito at the Utalii grounds and is certainly a happy man as his goal is al what Bidco needed to bag their second win of the season.The result means that Leopards who dominated for the better part of the game have now lost five consecutive matches.FULL TIME Bidco United 1 AFC Leopards 0#OursForever #Betsafe— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) December 4, 2021 There was nothing to write home in the opening ten minutes of the match as the two teams struggled to string passes and make any meaningful and positive moves on the muddy pitch.It was Bidco who were enjoying home advantage who settled first and would have gone ahead in the eleventh minute through Brian Nyakan who shot straight to the waiting hands of Levis Opiyo.Two minutes later, a unmarked Gabriel Wandera nearly atoned for Nyakan’s miss as he leaped to head Peter Nzuki’s corner but the ball flew off the target. However Ingwe recovered from the slow start and began calling the shots especially after coach Patrick Aussems rose up to give instructions on the touchline. The Leopards midfield that was constituted by the youthful trio of Marvin Nabwire, Brian Wanyama and Daniel Musamali gave the fans who had littered the stands something to cheer the team on, with their witty runs and skill in carrying the ball forward.While players from either teams had difficulties in controlling and passing the ball on the surface, Eugene Mukangula appeared to be comfortable as he supplied ammunition to Peter Thiong’o and Kingsley Olaniyi without strain.The thrust by Ingwe to open the scores forced the hosts to change strategy, committing more numbers in the back line to contain the pressure that was neutralized by the counterattacks largely launched by the speedy legs of Alex Juma and David Gateri.Ten minutes into the second half, Akhulia introduced the duo of Emmanuel Mogaka and Nelson Chieta for the ineffective Nyakan and David Orem.GoalMogaka who had last played competitive football in January had instant impact, collecting a loose ball from the centre of the pitch, evaded tow players before laying the ball on the way of Juma who was brought down by Joachim Oluoch in the box. Mogaka stepped up to send Opiyo the wrong way to give Bidco the lead.Aussems made double changes in the 61st minute with Maxwell Otieno and Daniel Sunguti coming in for Wanyama and Mukangula respectively.The two walked in alongside Bidco’s Zachary Gathu who replaced Juma but the former Wazito man lasted on the pitch for seven minutes as he was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Nabwire. Leopards took advantage of the numerical might and pitched camp in the Bidco area in a bid to overturn the results but the hosts stood tall.Washington Munene had the opportunity to rescue a point for Leopards in the dying seconds of the game when Ashira dished yet another contested penalty but the left back blasted the ball over the bar.AFC Leopards XI: Levis Opiyo, Kaycie Odhiambo, Joachim Oluoch, Lewis Bandi, Washington Munene, Daniel Musamali, Marvin Nabwire, Eugene Mukangula, Brian Wanyama, Peter Thiong’o, Kingsley Olaniyi.Substitutes: Maxwell Mulili, Maxwell Otieno, Daniel Sunguti, Boniface Mukhekhe, Collins Shivachi, Owen Mboya, Prince Ayieko, Giovanni Lukhumwa.Bidco United XI: Brian Opondo, David Kalama, Lambert Oyuga, Kassim Mwinyi, Gabriel Wandera, Jacob Onyango, Peter Nzuki, Alex Juma, David Gateri, Brian Nyakan, David OremSubstitutes: Edwin Mukolwe, Emmanuel Mogaka, Batts Awita, Francis Oduor, Zachary Gathu, Nelson Chieta, Geoffrey Gitau
