AFC Leopards registered their fourth win of the season after coming from a goal down to thump Mathare United 3-1 at the Nyayo National Stadium.An electric second half performance by Leopards saw them come from a goal down to condemn Mathare to their 12th loss of the season in a match that saw both teams finish with ten men.The second half performance left coach Patrick Aussems over the moon although he couldn’t hide his frustration with the res card dished to Shivachi which means that he will miss hi services in the next game.The Belgian will also be without his skipper Marvin Nabwire who picked his fifth yellow card of the season. “I am happy with the three points but very disappointed with the way we played in the first half. We lacked aggressiveness and were overall slow. I am happy with the way the boys responded in the second half and the three goals. We go back to the drawing board to plan for our next match although we will miss both Nabwire and Shivachi, ” he said.Eugene Mukangula walked to the dressing room after the halftime whistle guilty of not giving Leopards at least two goals from the clear cut chances that landed his way in the opening half. The burly player would have given Leopards the opener barely seconds in the game after Peter Thiong’o teed him up but he casually tapped the ball straight to the hands of Bryne Omondi. Rupia parts ways with Saudi sideMukangula also missed another glorious chance in the 36th minute when he reacted quickest in the box only to head the ball to the waiting gloves. Save from the two open chances, the two teams appeared to hide their claws as play was largely clustered in the midfield giving the fans who occasionally would broke into chants that suggested that they were fed up with the management nothing to celebrate about. The game was halted for close to three minutes in the 27th minute when Mathare left back Norman Ogolla picked an head injury but was cleared to continue after the medics attended him.Second halfMathare who hardly threatened in the first half returned with vigour for the final stanza and would take the lead in the 50th minute through Daniel Otieno who expertly finished off a freekick from Norman Ogolla. A minute after kissing the back of the net, Mathare made double changes with Khalid Jumaan and John Mwangi coming in for Alphonse Ndonye and Eugene Wethuli respectively. Leopards also made their first in the 58th minute, Aussems bringing in the experienced Collins Shivachi for debutant Giovanni Lukhumwa. Daniel Musamali came close to drawing Ingwe level in the 61st minute but his hard drilled freekick was palmed away by the fully stretching Omondi. Leopards restored parity in the 67th minute through Washington Munene who sent Omondi the wrong direction from the spot after Martin Ongori brought Robert Mudenyu down in the area. The equalizer was all the Leopards scattered on the stands needed to come to life as they broke into song that seemingly psyched up the players to double the scores. The pressure paid off in the 76th minute when Nigerian import Ojoo Olaniyi had a touch on the ball in the box that slithered past the line much to his delight as he got off the pressure of getting his first goal for the club. Thiong’o put the results beyond the reach of Mathare when he tapped in from close range in the 82nd minute. There was drama in the closing minutes of the game as both teams finished with ten men after Shivachi and Khalid Jumaan saw red for turning physical in the full glare of the referee.AFC Leopards XI: Levis Opiyo, Giovanni Lukhumwa, Washington Munene, Kayci Odhiambo, Robert Mudenyu, Daniel Musamali, Brian Wanyama, Peter Thiong’o, Marvin Nabwire, Eugene Mukangula, Kingsley Olaniyi. Substitutes: Maxwell Mulili, Erick Mbithi, Joachim Oluoch, Boniface Mukhekhe, Collins Shivachi, Zachary Njite, Owen MboyaHead coach: Patrick Aussems Mathare United XI: Bryne Omondi, Martin Ongori, Norman Ogolla, Jackson Juma, Victor Odhiambo, Meshack Muyonga, Alphonse Ndonye, Danson Kago, Daniel Otieno, Martin Nderitu, Eugene WethuliSubstitutes: Tom Kangeta, Kennedy Ochieng, Tony Odhiambo, Khalid Jumaan, Said Musa, Douglas Kibet, Brian Chege, John MwangiHead coach: Ezekiel Akwana
