AFC Leopards stumbled to their fourth defeat of the season after going down 2-1 to Shabana at a soaked Gusii Stadium on Wednesday 27 November.On a day when heavy rains pounded the region, the clash took longer than planned, as both sides were forced off the pitch with a minute of regulation remaining; downpour and gusts of wind rendering the game unplayable.With 89 minutes on the clock, the center referee, in consultation with the two team captains, directed both sides to the dressing rooms as the field, now without one of the team benches that had been flattened by the wind, looked flooded.At the time of the stoppage, AFC Leopards were trailing 2-1, a score that soon became final after play resumed an hour later.Match ReportAfter a string of saves from visiting keeper Humphrey Katasi, Shabana finally found the breakthrough shortly after the half-hour mark when Brian Michira headed in a delightful cross from Matthew Tegisi, sparking huge celebrations from the bench and the home crowd.FKFPL: Talanta gun down Ulinzi as Mathare United is halted by City StarsOne soon became two as Michira found his second in the 37th minute, this time doing the easy task of tapping a cross from Justine Omwando after the latter had skipped past a flailing Vincent Mahiga before sliding his ball past a napping backline.An error from Shabana skipper George Onyango handed Leopards a lifeline in the 43rd minute when Boniface Munyendo took advantage of his miscalculated pass to sneak his effort past the impressive Stephen Ochieng.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528312##Boosted by the return of four key players ahead of the game, Tomas Trucha rung the changes in the second half bringing on the trio of Victor Otieno, Kelly Madada, and Arthur Gitego, but nothing much seemed to trouble the hosts, who held onto their lead till the clouds opened with 10 minutes to go.The last piece of action before the stoppage saw Mahiga, who had earlier on been treated on the field of play for a nasty clash of heads, direct his long-range shot over the bar.He was hooked off when play resumed, but that in hindsight looked like Trucha’s desperate throw of the dice.A DEFEAT IN KISIIShabana FC 2 AFC Leopards 1⚽️ Boniface Munyendo #𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐤𝐚 #𝐎𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | #𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐖𝐄 pic.twitter.com/WvdKzWSL1n— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) November 27, 2024 Defeat means AFC Leopards are now five games without a win, while Peter Okidi’s magic wand now has Shabana on a three-match on a three-match winning streak.Posta end five-match winless runElsewhere at St. Sebastian Park, bottom-placed Posta Rangers secured their second win of the season after coming back from behind to emerge 3-1 winners over Bidco United.Athony Akhulia’s side took the lead after five minutes through Clinton Asiaga but Posta found the equalizer in the half-hour mark following a strike from Lewis Shivachi.Shivachi made it two for himself and for Posta four minutes after the break when he pounced on a Bidco defensive error to score past Daniel Odiwuor.The final goal came from yet another Bidco error, this time Shami Kibwana taking the initiative to pull back his side to within a point off safety.##NAJAVA_MECA_8528292##Bandari punish free falling SharksIn Ukunda, hosts Bandari returned to winning ways after seeing off Kariobangi Sharks 2-0.The Dockers took the lead in the 29th minute via an Ian Karani own goal before Beja Nyamawi added a second after the break to see his side move into third place, and just five points behind league leaders KCB.MTHUZI, PAPA WA NAZI 😅FT : Bandari 2 V 0 Sharks pic.twitter.com/T9bcyBxAsT— Bandari Football Club (@BandariOfficial) November 27, 2024 Kariobangi Sharks with the defeat however, are now six games without a win, and have dropped to fifth after a bright start to the season.
