AFC Leopards claimed only their third league win this season courtesy of a lone goal from Maxwell Otieno as they edged Nairobi City Stars 1-0 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) clash staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.Ingwe head coach Patrick Aussems was impressed with the unbeaten run of the team that now stretches to five games and was also delighted with the winning start to 2021.”The last four games we were unbeaten but they were three draws, I told my players that we had to start the year with a win although I was not happy with the first half and had a long talk with my players at half time.FULL TIME Nairobi City Stars 0 AFC Leopards 1⚽️ Maxwell Otieno #Betsafe #OursForever #INGWE pic.twitter.com/jwKsKa9vi9— AFC Leopards (@AFCLeopards) January 5, 2022 We worked on the defense during the training sessions this week because when dealing with ball you are never sure what will happen,” said Aussems.City Stars came into the clash brimming with confidence after claiming Gor Mahia’s scalp last time out to return to winning ways after suffering a deflating loss at the hands of KCB.Ingwe were on a frustrating run of three successive draws after surrendering the lead against Vihiga Bullets, FC Talanta and Kakamega Homeboyz.City Stars were off the blocks quickly and should have snatched an early lead inside the opening five minutes when former AFC Leopards forward Ezekiel Odera fed Nicholas Kipkirui with a neat through ball as he opted to round the keeper but he could not guide his effort off target.AFC Leopards settled well into the game and went close at the stroke of the half hour mark when Washington Munene stung the palms of Jacob Osano via a freekick and Fasamni Olaniyi was on hand to have a second bite at the cherry but his effort was wide off the mark.The first half saw clear cut chances in scarcity with Anthony Kimani whipping in a tame freekick from the edge of the box that presented easy pickings for Levis Opiyo in the 38th minute.AFC Leopards could have headed into the break with a lead when Dan Musamali threaded in a neat through ball to Olaniyi who turned brilliantly to unleash a venomous shot that drew a smart save from Osano as both teams headed into the break locked in a barren draw.FULLTIME IN NYAYO STADIUMIt ends in defeatFULLTIME SCORESNCS 0️⃣ – 1️⃣ AFC#BetterMustCome #COYSWN#𝕊𝕚𝕞𝕓𝕒𝕎𝕒ℕ𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕠𝕓𝕚 pic.twitter.com/EHsIGiY04l— Official Nairobi City Stars Fc (@NrbCityStars) January 5, 2022 Patrick Aussems had some stern words for his charges at half time that was evident from the strong start as it only took four minutes for them to break the deadlock through Maxwell Otieno who placed a shot just inside the 18-yard area that rippled the back of the net after a pass from Collins Shivachi.Ingwe went close again through that man again Otieno who fired the ball in from a tight angle that rattled the cross bar on it’s was out in the 56th minute.AFC Leopards withered a late storm from Nairobi City Stars as they resorted to hold on to their lead and they did just that claiming a hard fought win to start the year in style.AFC Leopards XI: Jacob Osano, Kevin Okumu, Edwin Buliba, Kennedy Onyango, Dennis Wanjala, Sven Yidah, Timothy Ouma (Oliver Maloba 58′), Anthony Kimani, Nicholas Kipkirui, Ezekiel Odera, Rodger Okumu (David Agesa 58′).Subs: Stephen Njunge, Salim Abdalla, Calvins Masawa, John Kamau, Mike Madoya, Harriet Mungai, David Otieno.XCity Stars XI: Levis Opiyo, Collins Shivachi, Washington Munene, Kacyl Odhiambo, Joachim Oluoch, Dan Musamali, Dan Wanyama, Marvin Nabwire, Olaniyi Fasanmi (Saad Musa 78′), Maxwell Otieno, Eugene Mukangula (Peter Thiong’o 58′).Subs: Maxwell Mulili, Robert Mudenyu, Dan Sunguti, Moses Lukhumwa, Owen Mboya, Eric Mbithi.
