Leopards turn the screw on Mathare, City Stars hold Homeboyz in nail-biter

AFC Leopards put up one of their most dominant displays of the season as they defeated struggling FKF Premier League side Mathare United 3-1 at the Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.

Peter Thiong'o, Fasanmi Ojo and Washingtone Munene scored for Leopards in a frenzied second half that had two red cards and four goals in it including Daniel Otieno’s opener for the visitors.

Each team ended the match with a man down after Khalid Jumaan and Collins Shivachi were sent off late on for a scuffle between both sets of players when a foul was awarded just outside the Leopards' danger area.

Both sides badly needed to win with the result helping Leopards climb one place into 13th on the standings 17 points but presented the latest blow on Mathare’s increasingly frail campaign.

They remain second from the bottom with only a one-point advantage over basement side Vihiga Bullets who have six points after 15 rounds.

Leopards were aiming to bounce back to winning ways after losing 1-3 to Kariobangi Sharks with Mathare losing 1-2 to Police FC in their previous fixtures.

At the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega, Kakamega Homeboyz threw a two-goal lead with just 10 minutes to go to draw 4-4 with Nairobi City Stars in an epic top-of-the-table clash.

Brian Eshihanda got the goal-fest underway with a headed effort in the 18th minute after getting on the end of David Okoth’s corner kick and the hosts quickly doubled that lead just six minutes later.

It came via the penalty which Okoth converted neatly after Steven Opoku had been fouled in the box.

Sven Yidah pulled one back for the visitors before Homeboyz restored their two-goal cushion when Moses Mudavadi rolled home a tap-in following some superb work from Yema Mwana.

A captivating opening half ended in stunning fashion as Timothy Ouma unleashed an unstoppable shot to beat Homeboyz goalkeeper Felix Otieno to leave the tie 3-2 heading into the break.

Homeboyz came back stronger and they were awarded a controversial penalty in the 55th minute which David Okoth slotted in.

It looked the hosts would see it out as they led 4-2 into the final ten minutes but there would be a late twist

City Stars pinched one back through super-sub Erick Ombija and Davis Amuyanzi found the equalized in the 85th minute to leave the contest evened out.

At the Mbaraki Grounds, ten men Wazito FC defeated Bandari FC 1-0 to hand their Interim coach Fred Ambani his second win since taking charge of the club.

Wazito who were fresh from their weekend win against Nzoia Sugar started the game on a high note and their efforts bore fruit in the seventh minute when Musa Masika connected Michael Owino pin point pass past Bandari goalkeeper Joseph Okoth.

Bandari had a chance to level the score some second to half time when Johanna Mwita was brought down by James Kinyanjui but William Wadri's penalty was punched out by Bashir Ssekagya.

The hosts returned to the second stanzas more energetic side with Johanna Mwita missing an open chance hitting the post after only 21 seconds.

Wazito were reduced to ten men in the 51st minute after Fidel Origa was shown match orders after a bad tackle against Joseph Otieno but Bandari could not capitalized on the deficit.

SUMMARISED RESULTS

Kakamega Homeboyz 4-4 Nairobi City Stars

Bandari 0-1 Wazito

AFC Leopards 3-1 Mathare United

-Report by Godfrey Ashiali, Eric Ayiro and Luqman Mahmoud