AFC shock Sofapaka with a 3-1 win

AFC Leopards shocked Sofapaka 3-1 on Wednesday night in a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match at Nyayo National Stadium. It was sweet revenge for Leopards who lost the first leg by a similar margin at the same venue just two months ago.

The tie billed as a battle of two Dutch coaching styles before kick-off –saw the older Jaan Koops who handles Leopards triumphed hands down. Sofapaka coach Francis Kimani spent one year in Holland undertaking his UEFA 'A' licence.

Koops, 70 joined Leopards one month ago and has transformed the club into a formidable outfit. Wednesday’s win was the icing on the cake in what has been a great turn around. Oscar Kadenge scored the fastest goal this season when he put Leopards ahead in the 14th second of the match.

Leopards defender Martin Imbalambala initiated the move that resulted in the goal picking out former Ulinzi striker Mike Barasa. Barasa himself set-up an un-marked Kadenge who did not hesitate but released a long shot that was too much for Duncun Ochieng in goal.

Sofapaka fought back well and were level eleven minutes later courtesy of a Dodo Kayombo header . Kayombo out-jumped the Leopards defence to head home a Titus Mulama cross. But Leopards were not done yet and five minutes later it was the turn of now top scorer Mike Barasa to score his fifth goal in a row for his new club.

Kayombo who had just equalized for Sofapaka turned villain after failing to clear a pass from Duncun Ochieng in goal and Barasa pounced on it to send Leopards ahead. The pressure continued for Sofapaka and Emmanuel Tostao wasted a brilliant opportunity to take Leopards three goals up.

Mid-way through the second half Humphrey Mieno had a golden opportunity to equalize the game for Sofapaka but failed to beat Patrick Matasi in the Leopards goal.

Then Laurent Tumba finished off Sofapaka in the 82nd minute ensuring a great evening for the thousands of fans who were already giving up on Leopards on account of poor results.

Gina Tivona
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