Kariobangi Sharks have moved to the Football Kenya Federation Premier League top three bracket after coming from a goal down to beat AFC Leopards 3-1 at the Kasarani Stadium.Leopards had taken an early lead through Eugene Mukangula but goals from Julius Masaba, Felix Oluoch and Eric Mmata were enough to condemn the former champions to their sixth loss of the season.The two sides had to put up with an heavy downpour that lasted in the entire opening half, a development that hampered the free flowing style of play the two teams had been displaying before. Ingwe took a deserved lead in the 15th minute when Eugene Mukangula wittingly spotted Brandon Obiero’s poor positioning and rifled the ball to left top corner much to the jubilation of the few Leopards who had dotted the stands. The lead lasted for about five minutes as Julius Masaba chested the ball past Levis Opiyo to draw the hosts level after Felix Oluoch had picked him with a well weighted cross. Both Masaba and Oluoch occasionally took advantage of the decision by coach Patrick Aussems to deploy Peter Thiong’o, a natural winger at right back as they tormented him at will down on the right wing. Aussems had to play Thiong’o at right back following the absence of his first choice Lewis Bandi who has established himself as a key member of the team since making his debut for the club last year. Leopards engaged the second gear after conceding the equalizer with Kingsley Olaniyi twice threatening to open his club goal account but was denied by Obiero’s strong arms. The former Coastal Heroes goalkeeper came to the rescue of Sharks early in the second half as Olaniyi who was roaming freely in the box bullied the defence but was not clinical enough to fire the ball past the line. Sharks gained momentum as the clock ticked and would plunder home the second goal in the 67th minute when Fortune Omoto breached the defence and laid the ball to Oluoch who dribbled past his namesake Joachim Oluoch before beating Opiyo to the near post. Leopards made their first change in the 70th minute where Zachary Njite came in for Brian Wanyama a change that saw Thiong’o go forward with the fresh legs taking up the right back roles. Sharks made their minutes later where the duo of Isaac Wasambo and Geoffrey Onyango came in for Omoto and Frederick Alushula respectively.Wits five minutes remaining on the clock, Eric Mmata put the result beyond the reach of Leopards when Opiyo spilled an harmless cross by Onyango on his way, leaving the forward with an easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net.Opiyo had gathered the ball but it presumably slid through his hands courtesy of the wet conditions before slithering through his legs only to land on Mmata’s way.Kariobangi Sharks XIBrandon Obiero, Samuel Olwande, Boniface Onyango, Frédéric Alushula, Alphonce Omija, Julius Masaba, Patillah Omoto, Douglas Mokaya, Fortune Omoto, Eric Mmata, Felix Oluoch. Substitutes Brian Olang’o, Ken Kyalo, Issa Lumumba, Enock Wanyama, Geoffrey Onyango, Stephen Otieno, Isaac Wasambo, Reagan Odede, Henry Juma. AFC Leopards XILevis Opiyo, Peter Thiong’o, Washington Munene, Kayci Odhiambo, Joachim Oluoch, Marvin Nabwire, Daniel Musamali, Eugene Mukangula, Brian Wanyama, Maxwell Otieno, Kingsley OlaniyiSubstitutes Maxwell Mulili, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Eric Mbithi, Prince Ayieko, Boniface Mukhekhe, Njite Zachary.
