And finally!AFC Leopards on Sunday afternoon did the low-key unexpected. A side that last tasted a Mashemeji Derby victory in 2016 did all the heavy lifting, worked, hustled and left everything on the field to break the jinx on their way to a memorable 2-1 victory against Gor Mahia at the full glare of a rocking crowd at the Nyayo National Stadium.Referred to ‘as the best game I have seen’ by President William Ruto, it would be a massive injustice not to recognize the effort played by all the protagonists.Mozzart Sport takes a look at how each player performed in the highly tensed fixture.Belgium laced Ingwe end seven year wait for victory against Gor MahiaAFC Leopards.Levis Opiyo (GK) – 8Reassuring. That would best term to describe Ingwe’s shot-stopper on Sunday. One of the top keepers in the land proved to be a calm presence in his area, often came out with outstanding saves case point: a flicked header by Omala that he pushed over the bar and a one on one save from Peter Lwasa in the first half.He was commanding to the backline in front of him and later on into the game showed elite game management – letting every second tick past.Apart from the goal he let in, Opiyo put in a decent shift.Kimewarambaaaaa#YAMATERE #OURSFOREVER#INGWE pic.twitter.com/UWF3tw2kCx— AFC Leopards SC (@AFCLeopards) May 14, 2023 Peter Ng’ang’a (LB) – 8Did his job to the tee. Always maintained a close eye to Peter Lwasa on the wings and offered option for AFC Leopards on attack – finding space to make runs and crosses to the box.Lewis Bandi (LB) – 6.5Most notable figure in attack for AFC Leopards. Combined brilliantly with Jaffari Owiti on the left side. Defensively didn’t have to deal with much, with Kayci Odhiambo providing extra cover.##NAJAVA_MECA_7252372##Kayci Odhiambo (CB) – 7.5Made a proper return to the team. Tasked with the job to handle the league’s top scorer, Odhiambo showed his brave face, manned the Gor Mahia star to the end, bar some heart-in-the mouth plays from behind.Washington Munene (CB) – 7More deployed with his mate on a high line, Munene made more impact on the right hand side, blocking everything that came his way from Peter Lwasa.Simply decent.Musa Oundo (Mid) – 8Work-horse. Laid his work everywhere on the field, jumped to every challenge and was unfortunate to get a booking on a clean tackle.Set the rhythm for AFC Leopards.F.TAFC Leopards wins the #MashemejiDerby for the first time in 7 years.#FKFPL pic.twitter.com/9icBXfTksR— FKF Premier League (@Officialfkfpl) May 14, 2023 Moses Lukhumwa (Mid) – 7Brilliant first half, was a creative mind in the middle. Found way to involve his teammates in the heat of battle and offered support to Oundo to block passing lanes.Victor Omune – 7.5Showed why he is now a national team caliber player. Fancied every foot in his face, showed excellence panache with the ball and tucked in the first half penalty under massive pressure.35’Victor Omune beats Gad Mathews from 12 yards.Gor Mahia 0-1 AFC Leopards #MashemejiDerby— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) May 14, 2023 Eugene Mukangula – 7Now playing in a deeper role, was asked to throw his body and win second balls. Did that to the tee.Offensively a bit off-color and missed to get into the right passing lanes.Made the assist on the second goal with a neat corner.He was replaced after 58 minutes with what looked like a niggle.Olunga snubbed for the MVP award for the second season in a rowJaffari Owiti – 6Should have posed more danger to Philemon Otieno in the game. A bit indecisive with his balls.Maxwell Otieno – 8.5Today’s man of the match.You’d see him everywhere. Put in a massive effort in the game and with his diminutive height, sneaked in at the back-post to head in the winning goal.INGWEEEEEEEE YAMATEREEEEEEEE— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) May 14, 2023 Gor Mahia.Gad Matthews – 6Quiet game. Caught out on both decisive moments.Didn’t have a lot to deal with in the second half.Philemon Otieno – 6Handled Owiti comfortably and often found himself jumping on central defense.A hard worker.Geoffrey Ochieng – 5Run the races against a twin pronged attack of Thiong’o and Maxwell, goal came from his side after forcing a corner.Sylvester Owino – 4Looked nervy throughout the game.Caught out on a few moments and gave away the penalty to AFC Leopards when he hacked down Maxwell.Dennis Ng’ang’a – 6Also in a duo that looked broken. Not reassuring but provided the assist for the team’s only goal.Ernest Wendo – 6Full force on winning duels. Did his best to break apart any combination of play in the middle.AverageAlpha Onyango – 5Shone in the first half, recovering balls and progressing with it. Led to so little.Boniface Omondi – 4Off-color. Easy to miss his presence.Threw many hail makers in attack. Missed the intended men.Peter Lwasa – 4Missed a one on one chance in the first half and failed to take on his marker in the entire second half.Won a penalty that gives him reprieve.Austin Odhiambo – 5Perhaps his worst game in a Gor Mahia shirt.Would be an unfair assessment given he was the goal scorer but missed three big chances to score.Looked fazed in the moment.Benson Omala – 4The stage was set for the top guy to deliver.He didn’t. Had a tough time dealing with Kayci Odhiambo, spent his game offside on countable occasions and missed the chance to put his side in the lead from the spot.
