Hassan Beja Stars as AFC Leopards Edge Tusker FC to Narrow Gap on Gor Mahia

AFC Leopards edged Tusker 1-0 at Nyayo National Stadium, closing the gap with Gor Mahia in the Kenya Premier League from 10 points to just seven.

AFC Leopards went into the match fresh off a hard-fought 1-0 midweek victory over Nairobi United, thanks to a Samuel Ssenyonjo strike.

The win allowed AFC Leopards to bounce back from a recent heavy defeat and maintain their pursuit of league leaders Gor Mahia.

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Meanwhile, the Tusker FC arrived in high spirits after securing a 2-0 win against Kakamega Homeboyz, marking their third consecutive victory under the guidance of new head coach Julien Mette.

In the fourth minute, Stephen Etyang whipped a dangerous cross to the back post for an unmarked Thomas Omole, but the forward’s subsequent volley flew over the crossbar to keep the match scoreless.

Ten minutes into the match and still scoreless, Randy Bakari nearly broke the deadlock for AFC Leopards after a beautifully worked corner routine, but his final effort unfortunately drifted off target.

Heading into the 25th minute, James Kinyanjui delivered a perfectly weighted cross from the right wing, but Samuel Ssenyonjo was unable to make the necessary connection to direct it toward the goal.

Despite several close calls for both sides, the encounter at Nyayo Stadium remained tight and scoreless as the match crossed the 35th minute.

In the 37th minute, Kenya Police registered their first shot on target as Servyl Akouala curled a free kick over the wall, though the effort flew straight into the keeper’s waiting arms to keep the game at 0-0.

In the 40th minute, the referee reached for his pocket and issued a yellow card to Mousa Oundo for a mistimed challenge as the match intensity ramped up.

Coach Fred Ambani signalled his intent at the start of the second half by making a double substitution, bringing on Ronald Sichenje and Bonface Munyendo in place of Kelly Madada and Hassan Beja.

Just moments into the second half, Tyson Otieno nearly broke the deadlock for AFC Leopards, but his powerful strike at goal was expertly blocked by the Tusker FC goalkeeper Pavelh Ndzila to keep the match level.

In the 51st minute, James Kinyanjui delivered another dangerous corner into the area, but Rami Coulibaly could not direct his header on frame as the ball drifted off target.

In the 54th minute, James Kinyanjui delivered yet another threatening corner that Samuel Ssenyonjo headed goalward, only for the Tusker FC goalkeeper to pull off a desperate save right on the goal line.

In the 60th minute, Tusker came agonisingly close when Ibrahim Joshua threaded a brilliant ball to Eric Kapaito, but the striker’s left-footed strike was expertly saved by James Ssetuba to keep the game scoreless.

In the 71st minute, AFC Leopards opted for a tactical change as Victor Omune was introduced to the match, replacing Samuel Ssenyonjo to lead the line.

At the same time, in a tactical double shift, Tusker brought on Yakeen Muteheli and Ian Simiyu to replace Stephen Etyang and Thomas Omole as they searched for a late breakthrough.

In the 81st minute, the deadlock was finally broken as Hassan Beja fired AFC Leopards into a late lead with a crucial goal at Nyayo Stadium.

Tusker FC put in the work in an effort to equalise, but their style of play was not enough to secure a goal even after making a last-minute change.