FC Talanta striker Emmanuel Osoro has unreservedly apologized to the AFC Leopards and Kenyan football fraternity for his perceived showboating in a league match played on Saturday at Dandora Stadium.Talanta beat Leopards 4-2 but what caught the attention of football lovers in the country and beyond, is how Osoro scored the third goal for the Communications Authority of Kenya-sponsored side.Osoro intercepted a miscalculated pass by Leopards goalkeeper Humprey Katasi, in the box, before driving to the goal line where he used his backside to force the ball past the line.##NAJAVA_MECA_8641751##With no one to pressure him, Osoro had the luxury of backheeling the ball into the net before wheeling to the corner of the pitch for celebrations.The hand of apology from Katasi was not enough, as Leopards fans were seen leaving the pitch after witnessing the outrageous goal which, also cost the former Nzoia Sugar custodian his place in between the sticks, as he was replaced by Abubakar Musha minutes later.Osoro, in an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, asked Leopards fans to pardon his actions, acknowledging that they depicted lack of respect for the game.AFC Leopards are seeing terrible things at Dandora Stadium pic.twitter.com/g18wKZtlNr— Meshack Kisenge (@kisengemeshack1) January 18, 2025 “I regret how I scored the goal. I watched the replay and my goal in particular and realized my mistake. I ought to have done better considering that respect for opponents is paramount in football. I regret my actions and ask the Leopards fraternity and football enthusiasts to forgive me,” he told Mozzart Sport.Asked what ran through his mind after realizing that one was challenging him in front of the empty net, Osoro admitted that excitement took a toll on him.“I think it was fueled by excitement. I did not mean to hurt anyone or demean the opponent. It was an oversight from myself and I promise to behave well next time,” he opened.AFC Leopards suffer first ever loss to FC Talanta who end 3-game losing streakMeanwhile, the forward rubbished an allegation that insinuated that his unconventional way of getting the ball past the line might have been a response to the failed transfer to Leopards.Before joining Talanta, the former Nzoia Sugar man unsuccessfully tried his luck at the den but was deemed not good enough.“I have nothing against them at all. I indeed trained with them for two days in the off-season transfer window and had hopes of securing a deal. However, coach Trucha told me I was not good enough to start (sic) and encouraged me to try my luck elsewhere. I left their camp and signed for Talanta,” he added.
