AFC Leopards piped nemesis Gor Mahia 1-2 in the Mashemeji Derby to end a seven-year winless streak at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. Stakes were high for K’Ogalo who were chasing a record 20th Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) and needed to regain the table’s leadership from Tusker FC with a victory, but Ingwe stopped them on their tracks.The game saw fans turn out in large numbers to cheer their sides despite an earlier threat of boycott by some Leopards fans.Speaking after the game, Gor Mahia Irish manager Johnathan McKinstry expressed disappointment for failing to win despite playing well and creating several scoring chances. “We’re very disappointed. We created a lot of chances. AFC Leopards goalkeeper (Levin) Opiyo made a couple of great saves. We could have possibly had another penalty, we obviously missed a penalty, but creating chances is not what gets you three points, it’s about putting the ball behind the net,” the former Uganda Cranes and Rwanda coach said.”I don’t remember AFC Leopards creating a clear chance outside the penalty and the corner, but they scored the goals and that’s what gets you three points. We move on to next week where we have another big game against Tusker,” he said as focus shifts on the game against the Brewers in two week’s time. Masterstroke Tactics: How AFC Leopards outfoxed Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby##NAJAVA_MECA_7251999##With pressure piling and Tusker stepping harder on the gas pedal, McKinstry decided to take the heat on behalf of his charges, saying they all had a good game.”We have to go back and tell the boys, ‘look guys, we have to pick the positives, we played a good game. We created a lot of chances and I don’t think any of our players had a bad game. It’s just one of those days, and football can be cruel sometimes,” he said.The youthful gaffer is banking on the tie against Tusker to make amends in the title race. “Majority of the season we have been chasing, we know that Tusker have the one point lead, but what a great opportunity to rectify that in a couple of weeks time.”On his part Leopards Belgian manager Patrick Aussems sounded easy and elated, saying his aim was to prepare for the game against Kakamega Homeboyz in the Mozzart Bet Cup semi finals. Nonetheless, he relished beating K’Ogalo for the first time in seven years. “We used the game to prepare for next week (Mozzart Bet Cup semi finals against Kakamega Homeboyz FC), but of course to get a victory is something a little bit special and it will give us a boost. I’m very proud of my players because they played a good game.” Aussems: Gor Mahia could not handle title race pressureStrangely, Aussems, who has had a tiff with Tusker coach Robert Matano, wished Gor Mahia victory when the two sides clash. “I just wish Gor Mahia will do the job against Tusker FC next week,” Aussems said with a broad smile on his face.
