Maxwell Otieno’s fourth minute strike is all AFC Leopards needed to beat struggling Vihiga Bullets in a rescheduled FKF Premier League match that was staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday afternoonProbably with the Sunday clash against league leaders Nzoia Sugar FC in mind, AFC Leopards coach Patrick Aussems made noticeable changes in his starting XI. Regulars such as Robert Mudenyu, Peter Thiong’o, Brian Wanyama, Musa Oundo, Victor Omune and Ojo Olaniyi were rested with the likes of Tedian Esilaba, Saad Musa, Boniface Mukhekhe and Maxwell Otieno getting a rare start.##NAJAVA_MECA_2054##Ingwe had a clear cut chance inside the first minute of the game when Saad Musa, making just his second start of the season found space inside the penalty box, he unleashed a shot that narrowly went over the bar.Three minutes later, Leopards got the opening goal through Otieno another rare starter. The attacker finished with an easy tap in from a Cliff Nyakeya cross.From that point the game slowly turned to a one-sided affair with Leopards doing all the attacking while the visitors opted to sit deep and try to catch Ingwe on the break, the hosts were severally let down by poor decision making in the final third.After the quarter hour mark, Bullets started to grow in the game, showing more ambition going forward, they however couldn’t trouble Ingwe’s backline much as they got dispossessed easily.H.TKenya Police, FC Talanta and AFC Leopards are in the driving seat.Can they hold on?#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/tijolml1V7— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) February 1, 2023 Jaffari Owiti had a great chance to double Leopards’ lead in the 30th minute after being set up by Saad but his shot cum cross went across goal. Next was Boniface Mukhekhe in the 36th minute who equally missed the target by inches. Saad then missed another chance five minutes before the interval, shooting wide from close range. The hosts took a narrow lead to the break.Inside the first minute of the second half, Ingwe nearly doubled their advantage from a set piece but Bullets keeper Edgar Epimayo did well to save his goal-bound freekick. Two minutes later, the Ugandan keeper did well to deny Nyakeya before Otieno shot across goal the hosts went all our in search of more goals.4’Maxwell Otieno gives AFC Leopards the lead. A tap in from a Nyakeya CrossAFC Leopards 1-0 Vihiga Bullets.#FKFPL— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) February 1, 2023 AFC Leopards’ wastefulnes persisted with Nyakeya abs Otieno guilty of throwing away easy opportunities.Bullets mare changes at the hour mark introducing Kennedy Wanyonyi, and Thomas Omole for Lucas Waitere and Haron Kibiwott. The changes appeared to revitalise the visitors who started to cause Ingwe real problems at the back.Leopards managed to defend their advantage to bag maximum points. Next for them is an away game against Nzoia Sugar FC on Sunday while Bullets will host Ulinzi Stars on the same day.High-flying Shabana FC look to avoid past pitfalls in race for promotion
