Reborn Ingwe smell blood in title run-in

At Nyayo National Stadium, it was one, two, three, four - and five!

AFC Leopards produced a stunning 5-1 thrashing of Shabana FC on Sunday to cut Gor Mahia’s lead at the top of the Kenyan Premier League to just six points.

It was a sweet and emphatic victory that reignites the title ambitions of the Fred Ambani-coached side, who are chasing their first league crown since 1998. Leopards remain second on the log but are now breathing down the neck of their arch-rivals as the league enters the 22nd round.

Shabana stay third on 40 points, three behind defending champions Kenya Police FC. Ingwe sit on 43 points, while K’Ogalo coast at the summit on 49.

The win over Shabana is Leopards’ biggest of the season. Had they secured victory over KCB FC in midweek, the pressure at the top would have been even more intense, with the gap potentially reduced to just three points.

Ugandan import Samuel Ssenyonjo came off the bench to net twice, while Samuel Semo, Tyson Otieno and Kayci Odhiambo each added a goal to entertain a packed crowd at Nyayo.

Ambani was the happiest man in the stadium after watching his charges dismantle Tore Bobe with character and attacking brilliance. The former striker, who was the league’s top scorer in 1998 when Leopards last lifted the title, praised his players for delivering when it mattered most.

Hear him speak: “I didn’t expect the five goals but something close to that. We have been training to have days like this. We planned for it knowing how good Shabana are.

We also knew we could punish them on counter-attacks, and when we make the fans happy, I am equally happy,” said the soft-spoken tactician.

His counterpart Peter Okidi lamented missed chances and defensive lapses.

“We didn’t utilize our chances. We gave them a lot of space and they punished us. We opened up our defence and that’s how they managed to beat us,” said Okidi.

Next up, Leopards travel to face Mathare United on Sunday, while Shabana will look to bounce back at home against Kariobangi Sharks at Gusii Stadium on Saturday.